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.

BISHOPS RESPOND TO SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT'S PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTATION

Scotland’s Catholic Bishops: Scottish Government’s laudable draft strategy on palliative care stands in stark contrast to dangerous assisted suicide proposal

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has responded positively to Scottish Government proposals for a new strategy on palliative care.

In its submission to a recent consultation the bishops declared their support for the draft strategy, stating that the proposals “uphold the dignity of human life for those at the end of life, their families, and carers” and said that the “laudable” proposals “stand in stark contrast to the dangerous Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill” currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.

The bishops said: “rather than being used to kill people, many of whom are vulnerable, public resources should be invested in helping people to live and to be more comfortable at the end of life.”

The bishops emphasised the crucial role of palliative care, declaring it to be “a precious and crucial instrument in the care of patients during terminal illness” and encouraged the government to ensure that a framework is in place to allow hospices to be appropriately funded to continue to deliver end-of-life care to all those who need it.

The bishops also stressed the importance of spiritual care and assistance for patients and their families at the end of life and called for such support to be a key element of a holistic approach to end-of-life care. Please see the full submission at the Catholic Parliamentary Office website

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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

October 2024

08Oct

Synod Briefing - Day 5: Embracing pain of people suffering from war - Vatican News

08 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/synod-briefing-day-5-day-prayer-peace-fasting-peace.html

The press briefing on day 5 of the Synod General Assembly reveals that participants marked the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace with a special ...

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07Oct

We finished our first module today

07 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

We finished our first module today. As Secretary for our Small Group I was responsible for keeping notes and then writing our Report. All went well, the Report was unanimously approved and everyone left except for the Rapporteur who was then to submit it. Suddenly I couldn’t find the file on my computer and absolute panic set in! Thankfully the Rapporteur eventually discovered it and our Report was safely submitted. I arrived home late for lunch but boy, did I enjoy my carbonara😀
This year our purpose is to discern HOW the Church can become more synodal in its mission. What practical steps need to be taken? This first module examined the foundations of synodality- theology, spirituality, activity etc. Our Small Group had representatives from 6 continents so the experiences shared were varied and enriching. It is a joy to see the Spirit at work in every part of the world.
+Brian

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07Oct

Today we began work in earnest in our Small Groups

07 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today we began work in earnest in our Small Groups. I appreciate that some will consider the Synodal process to be a mere talking shop and that nothing will come of it. Time alone will tell. However, we must remember that our purpose is to discern God’s Will. Listening and attentiveness to God takes time. We go at the Lord’s pace and not our own.
We started this process in our parishes back in 2021. Small groups of parishioners met to reflect and share. The Church listened to what you said along with similar voices from across Scotland, Europe and the Universal Church. Since 2021 there have been several further rounds which deepened those initial reflections.
At the end of Last October’s Assembly we presented the Holy Father with a Synthesis Report which contained recommendations. Some of them needed further theological and canonical study before decisions could be made. Pope Francis established 10 Working Groups to study some recommendations in depth. We received the initial reports yesterday and it is hoped that they will present their work to Pope France by the end of June 2025. That will enable concrete decisions to be taken as the Pope judges best. Here are a list of the Working Groups - not all will seem immediately relevant but we must remember that the Church is wider than our parishes and indeed even Scotland!
(i) Ecumenism (ii) Cry of the Poor (iii) Relations between Eastern Catholic and Latin Churches
(iv) Relationship between charismatic and hierarchical ministries, including the role of women
(V) Bishops, including a synodal method of selection (vi) Relationship between bishop, religious and ecclesial movements (vii) Formation in synodality(viii) How does love and truth relate? - working synodally in dogma and difficult moral issues (ix) Digital Mission (x) Nuncios
+Brian

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07Oct

Today Pope Francis invited the Synod participants to join him in praying the Rosary for peace in St Mary Major Basilica

07 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today Pope Francis invited the Synod participants to join him in praying the Rosary for peace in St Mary Major Basilica. The Holy Father has also asked that tomorrow, 7th October and the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel with all the terrible suffering which has followed, be a day of prayer and fasting for peace. Several participants in my Small Groups are from the Middle East and other troubled countries. Listening to their and others’ experiences is moving and disturbing. I marvel at their courage in even being here. Humanity is capable of so much good and beauty but also of dark depravity. Many conflicts are complex with long painful histories. Solutions may seem impossible but never for God. Please join the Pope tomorrow in prayer and fasting for we all need hearts melted by Christ’s love that will work for peace, justice and reconciliation.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
+Brian

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07Oct

Photos from Justice and Peace Scotland's post

07 Oct, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🕊️Day of Prayer for Peace in The Holy Land 🕊️

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, have called for today, October 7th, to be a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Penance for Peace in The Holy Land.

The Patriarch has issued this prayer which he asks us to say and share widely as we honour the feast day of Mary Queen of the Rosary while simultaneously commemorating a year of violence and tragedy across Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and the region of the Middle East.

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07Oct

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for today to be a day of fasting and prayer for peace as we commemorate one year since the ...

07 Oct, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

His Holiness Pope Francis has called for today to be a day of fasting and prayer for peace as we commemorate one year since the horrific events of October 7th and a year of war, tragedy and life lost across Israel, Palestine, Lebanon and the region of the Middle East.

Last week Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, issued a letter calling for Monday October 7th to be a day of fasting, penance and prayer for peace in The Holy Land and this call has been endorsed and echoed by the Holy Father.

In his letter, the Patriarch notes that not only does the month of October mark a year of violence in both Israel and Palestine, but is also a month of Marian devotion. In fact on this very day we celebrate the memory of Mary Queen of the Rosary. In recognition of both the anniversary of the war and the day dedicated to Our Lady on which it falls, he asks each of us to find a moment today to pause and pray to “invoke the intercession of Mary Queen of the Rosary for this beloved Land and its inhabitants”.

We ask you to join us alongside Pope Francis, Cardinal Pizzaballa and all our brothers and sisters across the Middle East to pray for peace for all who call these lands home. 🕊️

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06Oct

Pope Francis leads Rosary prayer for peace for ‘world in danger’ - Vatican News

06 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Francis leads the recitation of a Rosary for peace at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and prays that violence and hatred may be extinguished from ...

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06Oct

Patriarch Pizzaballa: 'A year after October 7 we implore peace' - Vatican News

06 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-10/pizzaballa-a-year-after-october-7-we-call-for-peace-for-humanity.html

Ahead of the day of prayer and fasting for peace called by Pope Francis, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, shares ...

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06Oct

Pope Francis announces Consistory for creation of new Cardinals - Vatican News

06 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Francis announces a consistory for the creation of new Cardinals from around the world to be held in the Vatican on 8 December 2024.

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05Oct