The Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill is about protection and real support.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland have written to the First Minister of Scotland expressing support for Ash Regan’s Bill, describing it as a vital step in addressing the harm linked to prostitution.

The Bill shifts the focus away from those who are exploited and onto those who create demand — criminalising buyers, not sellers — while repealing outdated offences that penalised vulnerable individuals.

It recognises the reality that many involved in prostitution face serious vulnerabilities, including trauma, abuse, grooming, and increasing risks from online and technology-facilitated exploitation.

Crucially, the Bill also establishes a statutory right to support — including accommodation, healthcare, financial assistance, and counselling — helping people exit prostitution safely and rebuild their lives.

This is about reducing harm, challenging demand, and offering real pathways to freedom and recovery.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up this important role in the coming months, assisting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry. He succeeds Fr Nick Welsh, whose dedicated service to the College is warmly acknowledged by the Bishops.

Fr Matthew studied at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome from 2009 to 2017. He was ordained to the priesthood on 30 June 2016 at St John’s Church, Barrhead.
Following ordination, he served as curate at St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley, from 2017 to 2019. He was appointed Parish Priest of St Francis, Port Glasgow, in 2019, serving there until 2024. Since then, he has been Parish Priest of St Aidan’s, Johnstone, and since 2025 has also served Christ the King, Howwood.

In addition to parish ministry, Fr Matthew currently serves as Vicar Episcopal for Education in the Diocese of Paisley and as Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.

Commenting on the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
"I want to thank Father Matthew for his generosity of spirit in accepting this important role in the formation of our future priests. He has been happy and thriving in his parish work, in his commitments in the diocese regarding our schools as well as in his national work at our Tribunal. We will miss him from our diocese both personally and pastorally for the time when he is away. I know he will now accept this latest appointment by the bishops of Scotland with his same characteristic faithfulness, dedication and zeal. We assure him of our prayers and wish him a joyful and fruitful ministry in Rome."

Fr Matthew said:
“I was privileged to spend eight years at the Scots College in Rome, studying, praying, and preparing to serve God's people. I am immensely grateful for everything I received during that time, and I look forward to assisting others in their formation for the diocesan priesthood. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop John Keenan for his guidance and encouragement, and to all the Bishops of Scotland for their trust in appointing me as Vice Rector. I ask everyone to keep me, and all those involved in priestly formation, in their prayers.”

The Rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Fr Mark Cassidy, said:
"I am delighted that Fr Matthew will be joining the College as vice rector in succession to Fr Nick Welsh. Bringing his own talents and gifts to the role, I am sure that Fr Matthew will build on the good work done by his predecessor in helping to develop the formation programme here at the College. I know that Fr Matthew will be a great example and mentor to our men studying for the priesthood."

The Bishops of Scotland commend Fr Matthew to the prayers of the faithful as he prepares to take up this important role in the life of the Church in Scotland.

Gospel
Luke 2:22-40
‘The child grew, filled with wisdom.’

When the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of turtle-doves, or two young pigeons’.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the Temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

‘Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel.’

And his father and his mother marvelled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed — and a sword will pierce through your own soul also — so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.’
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favour of God was upon him.

Bishop Toal's Sunday Reflection for Sunday, 1st February

Pope Leo's prayer intention for February 2026

For children with incurable diseases
Let us pray that children suffering from incurable diseases and their families receive the necessary medical care and support, never losing strength and hope.