The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

24th February 2026

24 February 2026

Statement on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

The Bishops thank the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) and the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office (SCPO) for the considerable work undertaken to present the Church’s strongly held views on this issue.

We recognise a number of important protections which have been secured. Religious Education remains a central part of the curriculum and will continue to be an entitlement for all pupils. In Catholic schools, Religious Education will remain within the authority of the Bishops’ Conference. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the intrinsic nature of Religious Education and Religious Observance in Catholic schools and, despite these being de-coupled in law, has committed to respecting and continuing both. The Government has also committed to involving SCES in drafting the statutory guidance. Furthermore, the retention of the term “Religious Instruction” in law ensures that the Religious Character of Catholic schools is not reduced solely to classroom learning.

However, we are deeply concerned by the decision to grant Scottish Ministers the power to introduce regulations that would permit young people to withdraw from religious observance without parental involvement. Article 14 of the UNCRC is often quoted selectively, overlooking its clear emphasis on the essential role of parents in a child’s religious upbringing. This narrative risks creating a false divide between children’s rights and parental responsibilities. Any future legislation must uphold the UNCRC’s intention to support families, not diminish their role.

We remain deeply concerned at the official policy of the Scottish Greens to impose a fully secular model of state education – an approach that would strip away Scotland’s denominational schools entirely.

We will work firmly and constructively with the Scottish Government to ensure that Catholic schools continue to be protected in law and safeguarded for the communities they serve.

ENDS

Contact:
Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

The Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland work together to undertake nationwide initiatives through their Commissions and Agencies.

The members of the Bishops' Conference are the Bishops of the eight Scottish Dioceses. Where appropriate the Bishops Emeriti (retired) provide a much welcomed contribution to the work of the conference. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is a permanently constituted assembly which meets regularly throughout the year to address relevant business matters.

Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

December 2025

08Dec

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Did you know?

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope visits Piazza di Spagna in Rome to honour Our Lady with prayers and a gift of white roses. Pope Leo XIV continued this beautiful tradition today at the statue of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish Steps.

Vatican 📷

08Dec

Today, we mark the 60th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today, we mark the 60th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. The influences of Vatican II can be seen in every aspect of the modern Church – in our understanding of divine revelation, the universal call to holiness, the sacred liturgy, religious freedom, ecumenical dialogue, the participation of the laity in the life of the Church, and so much more.

Find out more about the Council at: https://ow.ly/Gn7Q50XFKYu

08Dec

A small band of pilgrims braved the December weather on Saturday to walk a stage of the Fife Pilgrim Way, from the historic burg...

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A small band of pilgrims braved the December weather on Saturday to walk a stage of the Fife Pilgrim Way, from the historic burgh of Culross to the National Shrine to St Margaret in Dunfermline, where they joined the local congregation for Vigil Mass. The pilgrimage was led by Fr Cyriac and Deacon Pat Carrigan.

08Dec

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854.

Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.

That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed on December 8, 1854: "The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin." —Catechism of the Catholic Church

08Dec

Think of the Common Good | Heartbeat

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, joins Peter Kearney for a conversation on the proposals to legalise assisted suicide and to allow abortion up to the point of birth in Scotland.

In this week's Heartbeat, Peter sits down with Bishop John Keenan, William brings us the news from home and abroad, and Catherine shares her views on the ret...

07Dec

Fr Paul invites all who use British Sign Language to join him each Sunday for Holy Mass at St Augustine’s, Milton at 12noon

07 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Fr Paul invites all who use British Sign Language to join him each Sunday for Holy Mass at St Augustine’s, Milton at 12noon.

This weekly Mass is a dedicated space for the deaf community to come together as we celebrate Holy Mass. .

07Dec

Michael Bublé Calls Meeting Pope Leo XIV ‘One of the Greatest Moments of My Life’

07 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Bublé met Pope Leo XIV on Friday along with other artists participating in the Vatican’s sixth annual “Concert with the Poor” on Saturday, Dec. 6.

07Dec

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

07 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Yesterday, Archbishop Nolan alongside Fr. Tom Kilbride and Canon David Wallace were present at St Andrew’s West Parish Church in Glasgow for an ecumenical Advent Carol Service, joined simultaneously by a congregation gathered in The Lady of Shepherds Melkite Catholic Church in Beit Sahour, Bethlehem. The service was hosted by Friends of the Holy Land. (Glasgow and Bethlehem have been twinned since 2007, with a friendship agreement in place since 1992.)

Through the blessings of modern technology, the two congregations were able to worship together despite the miles that separate them.

The Church of Scotland was represented in Glasgow by Rev Dr Kleber Machado, parish minister, and Rev George McKay, Presbytery Moderator, while Rev Dr Stewart Gillan of St Andrew’s Scottish Church, Jerusalem took part from Bethlehem.

Music was led by Ronan McQuade and the wonderful St Aloysius College choir.

06Dec

Why would we run to meet Christ?

06 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Why would we run to meet Christ?
Because, like a child running to someone they love, we run toward the One who loves us first.

Yes, Advent calls us to repentance but always under God’s deep love for us.

This week, may we learn to run towards the Lord with trust and joy.

06Dec

Ecumenical Advent Service with Friends of the Holy Land

06 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Ecumenical Advent Service with Friends of the Holy Land