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.

EVENTS

Westminster debate and vote on Assisted Dying – Friday 29^th November.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and the Catholic Parliamentary Office have commissioned this short documentary. Please WATCH & SHARE with friends, family, and particularly your local MP and MSPs.

"Do No Harm” is a short documentary which highlights some of the grave concerns around proposals to legalise assisted dying in the UK and Scottish Parliaments.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3S2yp3hjY

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1029444718?share=copy

Please remember to share the documentary with family and friends, and on social media, and please use the hashtags #DoNoHarm and #RaiseYourVoice

Read the joint Statement from the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland on Assisted Suicide: AS-Plenary-2024-Statement-FINAL.pdf

BISHOPS RELEASE STATEMENT ON FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION AND JUST TRANSITION

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) have released a statement encouraging world leaders to agree to and establish a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, committing all nations to a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. The statement, which is released to mark the COP29 climate summit taking place in Azerbaijan from 11th – 22nd November, calls on Scotland to play its role in realising the common good by participating in a swift transition away from fossil fuels to protect people and our planet, both now and in the future, from further global warming caused by fossil fuel extraction. Crucially, in recognising the workers and communities in Scotland who rely on fossil fuel industries for their livelihood, the statement emphasises that any such transition must have justice at its core and ensure that no one is left behind, particularly those currently employed in this sector who must be ensured secure work in the move towards renewables. The full text of the statement can be downloaded here.

News from the Commissions and Agencies

December 2024

10Dec

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have released the following statement in response to the Scottish Government's commitment to...

10 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have released the following statement in response to the Scottish Government's commitment to lift the two-child benefit cap.

10Dec

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:

10 Dec, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:

"The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government’s vow to lift the two-child benefit cap, which could potentially result in benefits being paid out to families of 15,000 children. The bishops look forward to seeing more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to lift the cap and hope that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families to receive support they so badly need."

Scotland's bishops along with Justice & Peace Scotland have long been opposed to the UK government policy which unjustly targets families who are most in need.

Image credit: CBCEW

#JandPScotland

10Dec

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP: "The Catholic Bishops of Scotland...

10 Dec, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:
"The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government’s vow to lift the two-child benefit cap, which could potentially result in benefits being paid out to families of 15,000 children. The bishops look forward to seeing more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to lift the cap and hope that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families... to receive support they so badly need."
Scotland's bishops along with Justice & Peace Scotland have long been opposed to the UK government policy which unjustly targets families who are most in need.
Image credit: CBCEW
#JandPScotland

10Dec

Last night's Advent Rosary for Life included this reflection from Fr Peter Shankland of St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk

10 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Last night's Advent Rosary for Life included this reflection from Fr Peter Shankland of St Francis Xavier's in Falkirk.

The Advent Rosary for Life is organised by the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Marriage, Family & Life Office, supported by the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh. It continues next Monday at 7:45pm. Register at bit.ly/adventrosary

09Dec

'Long live Notre Dame de Paris!' Jubilation as iconic Catholic cathedral reopens “Today, sadness and mourning have given...

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

'Long live Notre Dame de Paris!' Jubilation as iconic Catholic cathedral reopens
“Today, sadness and mourning have given way to joy, celebration and praise,” Po...pe Francis wrote to the archbishop of Paris — a message read in Notre Dame by the papal ambassador to France, Archbishop Celestino Migliore.
“May the rebirth of this admirable church be a prophetic sign of the renewal of the Church in France,” the pope said in his Dec. 7 message.
https://iobserve.org/…/long-live-notre-dame-de-paris-jubil…/

09Dec

Photos from Catholic Communications's post

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

09Dec

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the teaching of the Church that Mary was conceived naturally but ...

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the teaching of the Church that Mary was conceived naturally but without original sin, therefore making her a fitting mother for Christ as she lived her life perfectly without sin. Whilst held and understood in tradition for centuries, it was until 1854 that it was formally dogmatised by Pope Pius XI.

We are invited today to reflect on Mary as an example for us in our own lives. In our Gospel we hear the Annunciation to Mary by the angel Gabriel. Mary in giving her yes didn't know what the future would hold for her, in giving her yes she was offering her whole life to God in faith and in trust. We are asked to do the same in our own lives, to have the faith and trust of Mary, to seek to rely not simply on ourselves but on God and on his grace, to know daily his closeness to us and his guiding hand in our lives.

Mary, Queen of Heaven, pray for us.

Image credit: Marian statue from St Mary's Chapel, New Abbey.

09Dec

As we begin our Second Week of Advent let us enter into times of silence to, as John the Baptist urged, “Prepare the way of the ...

09 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

As we begin our Second Week of Advent let us enter into times of silence to, as John the Baptist urged, “Prepare the way of the Lord’.
+Brian

08Dec

Archbishop declares Jack Traynor case a miracle | News

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

https://www.liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/news/archbishop-declares-jack-traynor-case-a-miracle

Department provides cross cutting functions which support the wider operations of the archdiocese. These include human resources, safeguarding, governance, legal services, IT and communications.

08Dec

Second Sunday of Advent

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

Second Sunday of Advent

Almighty and merciful God,
may no earthly undertaking hinder those
who set out in haste to meet your Son,
but may our learning of heavenly wisdom
gain us admittance to his company.
Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Amen.