The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

March 2026

13Mar

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗦𝗣𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁

13 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗦𝗣𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is deeply disappointed by the decision of the Scottish Parliament to reject all institutional conscientious objection amendments to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

Every organisation has guiding values that shape its mission and practice and, for many faith‑based organisations, including Catholic hospices and care homes, these values are fundamentally incompatible with the introduction of assisted suicide.

The future of such institutions, which so faithfully and compassionately serve their local communities, some for hundreds of years, is now uncertain if the Bill passes.

The Bishops’ Conference maintains that no organisation should be compelled by the State to participate in the deliberate ending of life when doing so would violate its ethical or religious principles.

The Bishops’ Conference urges MSPs to reject the Bill, ensuring that organisations providing critical care services are not forced to decide between acting contrary to their foundational values or closing.

13Mar

𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗦𝗣𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗗𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁

13 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

13Mar

🚨 BREAKING

13 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

🚨 BREAKING

Murdo Fraser MSP has confirmed that the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland has moved today from a position of neutrality to full opposition to Liam McArthur’s Assisted Suicide Bill.

This is a significant development. When one of the country’s leading medical bodies raises serious concerns about the legislation, MSPs should take note.

Expert voices from the medical community continue to warn about the risks and consequences of this Bill.

Contact your MSP today and urge them to reject the Assisted Suicide Bill:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot/

The more we know, the more we say no.

13Mar

The right to life is the most basic of all human rights

13 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

The right to life is the most basic of all human rights. It is the foundation upon which every other right depends.

Former MP and MSP Dennis Canavan reminds us that a society which loses respect for human life ultimately impoverishes itself. When the law begins to permit the ending of life, even in limited circumstances, it risks weakening the principle that every human life has inherent dignity and worth.

This debate is not simply about individual choice. It is about the values we uphold as a society and the protections we offer to the most vulnerable.

If you are concerned about the direction Scotland is heading, please take action today.

The more we KNOW, the more we say NO.

Write to your MSPs by visiting:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot/

Be sure to carefully read the wording of the email to make sure you are happy for it to be sent to your MSPs. Click the button on the website and enter your postcode when prompted.

Your voice matters.

13Mar

Holy Mass of Friday of the Third Week of Lent | 13 March 2026

13 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Friday of the Third Week of Lent | 13 March 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

13Mar

Gospel

13 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 12:28b-34
‘You shall love the Lord your God. You shall love your neighbour.’

At that time: One of the scribes came up to Jesus and asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ And the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

12Mar

MSPs have voted against an amendment that would have prevented doctors from raising assisted suicide with patients unprompted

12 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

MSPs have voted against an amendment that would have prevented doctors from raising assisted suicide with patients unprompted.

Without this safeguard, vulnerable people could be exposed to conversations about ending their life at moments of fear, illness or pressure.

This raises serious concerns about how the Assisted Dying Bill could affect those who are elderly, disabled or seriously ill.

This bill is a danger to vulnerable people and must be rejected.

Contact your MSP today and ask them to vote against the Assisted Suicide Bill:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot

The more we KNOW, the more we say NO!

12Mar

MSPs have voted to remove conscientious objection from the Assisted Suicide Bill

12 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

MSPs have voted to remove conscientious objection from the Assisted Suicide Bill.

This means healthcare professionals could be left without the clear protections needed to refuse involvement on grounds of conscience.

As a result, MSPs will now be asked to vote on an incomplete Bill, missing a key safeguard for doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff.

This Bill must be rejected.

Contact your MSP today and urge them to vote against the Assisted Suicide Bill:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot/

The more we know, the more we say no.

12Mar

When a law like this is introduced, it does not remain fixed

12 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

When a law like this is introduced, it does not remain fixed. What begins with strict limits can change over time as new cases are brought forward and pressure grows to widen eligibility.

One decision today can open the door to changes in the years ahead that we cannot fully control.

That is why it is so important to consider not only what the law says now, but where it could lead in the future.

📩 Contact your MSP and ask them to reject the Assisted Dying Bill: carenotkilling.scot

12Mar

Photos from Russell Findlay's post

12 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Yes another MSP withdraws his support for the McArthur Assisted Dying Bill.

The more we KNOW, the more we say NO!

Contact your MSP to reject this bill
👉🏼 www.carenotkilling.scot