The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

17th March 2026

17 March 2026

Scotland Rejects Assisted Dying and Affirms Human Dignity

MSPs can be confident that they have taken the correct and responsible course of action. Their vote serves to protect some of Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals from the risk of being pressured into a premature death.

Every human life possesses inherent value. Genuine compassion is not expressed through ending a life, but through accompanying those who suffer and ensuring they receive the medical, emotional, and spiritual support that recognises their dignity. No life is without worth.

As a society, our responsibility is not to address suffering by eliminating the sufferer, but to surround each person with care, respect, and dignity until their natural end. Today’s decision moves Scotland further in that direction, and MSPs should be commended for this.

However, we must continue to make progress. Our next priority must be to strengthen palliative care by ensuring that it is properly funded and accessible to all who require it.

I would like to express my gratitude to all MSPs for their serious engagement with this issue and for the thoughtful and considered attention they have given to the bill. I am especially grateful to those who upheld the principle of human dignity and advocated on behalf of the vulnerable. Your principled commitment has not gone unnoticed.

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

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

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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

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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...

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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. .

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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.

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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.

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Why would we run to meet Christ?

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

Why would we run to meet Christ?
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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.

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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