The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Press Release

Action on Exploitation with Support for New Prostitution Bill

For Immediate Release
28 January 2026

Bishops’ Conference Calls for Action on Exploitation with Support for New Prostitution Bill

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has written to the First Minister of Scotland to express the Church’s support for the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, currently before the Scottish Parliament.

In the letter, the Bishops’ Conference describes the Bill, tabled by independent MSP, Ash Regan, as “a vital step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and addressing the systemic harms associated with prostitution in Scotland.”

Protecting Victims and Challenging Demand

The Bill’s central purpose—to reduce prostitution and tackle exploitation, coercion, and harm—is described as both compelling and necessary.

It proposes a new offence for the purchase of sexual acts, while repealing outdated laws that historically penalised those who were themselves victims. The Bill would also quash previous convictions under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, removing what Bishop Keenan calls a “significant barrier” to rebuilding lives.

The Bishops’ Conference supports the Bill’s adoption of a “challenging demand” model, shifting criminal responsibility away from individuals exploited through prostitution—overwhelmingly women and girls—and onto the buyers who fuel the commercial sex market. This model reflects international best practice and aligns with Scotland’s wider commitments to tackling violence against women and girls.

Addressing Vulnerability and Trauma

The letter highlights the deep vulnerabilities that underpin involvement in prostitution. Many affected individuals have experienced childhood abuse, care experience, grooming, and trauma, with young people—particularly those leaving care—at high risk of exploitation. Technology has intensified these risks, expanding opportunities for manipulation.

Human Trafficking Concerns

The Bishops’ Conference also emphasises the Bill’s relevance to combatting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a significant and documented issue in Scotland. International evidence links reductions in trafficking to demand‑reduction legislation. Bishop Brian McGee, Vice‑President of the Bishops’ Conference, has contributed insight from his work with the Santa Marta Group, an international alliance dedicated to ending human trafficking. He believes the Bill reflects “the realities identified by trafficked people, law enforcement, and Church agencies around the world.”

Right to Support

A key component of the proposed legislation is the creation of a statutory right to support for anyone currently or previously involved in prostitution. This includes access to accommodation, financial aid, healthcare, and counselling—supports deemed essential for enabling safe and sustainable exits from prostitution.

Call for Political Leadership

Acknowledging differing political opinions, and expecting Parliament to provide considerable scrutiny from which the Bill can benefit, the letter urges the Scottish Government to show leadership by backing the Bill, underscoring its potential to protect vulnerable women and girls, prevent trafficking, and advance equality.

ENDS

Contact:
Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

< READ LETTER

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

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2026

21Jan

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint Agnes | 21 January 2026

21 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint Agnes | 21 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

21Jan

Very little is known with certainty about Saint Agnes, other than that she was martyred at a remarkably young age, likely around...

21 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Very little is known with certainty about Saint Agnes, other than that she was martyred at a remarkably young age, likely around twelve or thirteen, during the persecutions of the late third century.

Early accounts tell of a young Christian girl who refused marriage because of her faith. According to tradition, her rejection of suitors led to her being reported to the authorities as a Christian. She was arrested and subjected to humiliation, yet remained steadfast in her trust in God. Stories surrounding her martyrdom speak of God’s protection and her courage in the face of suffering.

Saint Agnes was ultimately put to death and buried in a catacomb outside Rome, which later took her name. Her witness made such an impact that a basilica was later built in her honour during the time of Constantine.

Despite her youth, Saint Agnes remains one of the Church’s most powerful examples of faith, purity and courage under persecution.

Saint Agnes, pray for us.

21Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 3:1-6)

21 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (Mark 3:1-6)

At that time: Again Jesus entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Come here.’ And he said to them, ‘Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?’ But they were silent. And he looked round at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.

20Jan

“The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort

20 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

“The world offers you comfort, but you were not made for comfort. You were made for greatness.” - Pope Benedict XVI

20Jan

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

20 Jan, 2026 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📝JOURNALS FROM JERUSALEM - "Justice for our people, justice for our land, and justice for our olive trees."

⛪On 18th January, the Holy Land Coordination travelled to Taybeh to join the parish community of Christ of the Redeemer. Mass was celebrated in Arabic by Bishop Elias Zaidan of the Maronite Eparchy of Our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, Chair of the Committee on International Justice & Peace at United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

🕊️During the Offertory local children brought forward the gifts along with a peace lamp that was placed before the altar. It symbolised our shared prayers and hopes for peace and healing for all people in Palestine and Israel.

📰Numerous news outlets, including Vatican News, have reported a surge in settler violence in Taybeh, forcing residents to live under constant fear and intimidation. Following Mass, the Bishops and those accompanying them met with members of the parish to listen first-hand to the hardships they are enduring. Many people stood up to recount incidents of cars being set alight, homes and property vandalised, and community members assaulted or threatened.

🫒One woman spoke of her family’s land, where they grow olive trees. In order to protect it they erected a fence last year. Recently settlers removed the fence, entered the land, and took down the trees. When she was asked what we could do for her, she gave an emotional response that echoed the pleas of many in Taybeh:
“Seek justice for our people, justice for our land, and justice for our olive trees.”

✝️To seek justice and peace for everyone in this land must begin with telling the stories of injustice experienced by those who live there. Taybeh is the last fully Christian town in the West Bank. While the injustices we heard about on Sunday affect many Palestinians, regardless of faith, the people of Taybeh hold a particular significance for Christians around the world. They are the "living stones": a living link between the places associated with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and the worldwide Church he founded. As another parishioner shared, speaking of the fear caused by settlement expansion:
“If we lose our land, you lose the living stones.”

🙏We pray for the people of Taybeh, for the protection of their land, their livelihoods, and their dignity; and we pray for a just and lasting peace for all throughout the Holy Land.

📸Image credit: Marcin Mazur - Catholic Bishops' Conference (England and Wales).

20Jan

Soaring Bible sales prove the young are looking for meaning in our soulless culture

20 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Recent data shows that sales of the Bible have reached unprecedented levels in the United Kingdom, with numbers up significantly compared to recent years. What’s especially striking is the growing interest among younger generations, many of whom are seeking meaning, purpose, and spiritual grounding in a culture that often feels empty or directionless.

Amid a culture that often feels empty, today’s young people are seeking spiritual meaning and rediscovering the power of the Scriptures. This trend suggests a deep desire for connection and truth in a rapidly changing world.

Let’s pray for continued openness to faith and that this renewed interest leads to deeper encounters with Christ. 🙏

Religious education is not what it once was. Today’s youth are now having to seek out spiritual experiences

20Jan

A Catholic charity worker has recently become an author of a children’s book, which explores how communities flourish

20 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A Catholic charity worker has recently become an author of a children’s book, which explores how communities flourish.

Mum of one Elaine McGinlay has worked for the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund for 12 years and is their Education Officer. She has written a children’s book drawing on more than a decade of work in development education.

Elaine was inspired to write the book The Wisdom of the River after she visited SCIAF’S partner communities and witnessed how they supported one another to flourish in the face of challenges such as severe droughts.

Every Catholic primary school in Scotland will now receive a free copy.

Elaine said: “My wee boy Matthew thinks it’s really cool that his mum wrote his new favourite bedtime story, although he is a wee bit young for it. It’s mainly aimed at 7-10 year olds.

“Matthew goes to the same primary school I went to – St Timothy’s. My mum used to be known affectionately in the school as “the SCIAF lady” for her long-term commitment to fundraising! He loves choosing different paths through the story and is looking forward to sharing with his teacher.”

The book follows the story of a community which lives on the banks of a wide, flowing river and the choices they face as they work together to help their town flourish and ‘sing again’. On each page, readers choose what happens next and which characters they wish to speak to, creating an interactive, choose-your-own-story adventure.

The book is a gentle introduction to Integral Human Development — the Catholic Church’s holistic vision of human flourishing, which considers the whole person and whole community. This vision shapes SCIAF’s work around the world.

The Wisdom of the River has been written for families and classrooms and explores the themes of faith, sustainable development and human flourishing.

The book allows readers to navigate challenges drawn from the real experiences of SCIAF’s partner communities around the world, such as collecting rainwater.

There is also a Gaelic version of the book.

Elaine added: “The Wisdom of the River brings SCIAF’s work to life in a gentle way, and I think it is a wonderful addition to any school or home library.

“My hope is that families enjoy reading this book aloud together and learn how flourishing isn’t only about material needs or simple solutions to complex global issues, including poverty and hunger, but about many connected solutions.”

20Jan

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time | 20 January 2026

20 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time | 20 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

20Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 2:23-28)

20 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (Mark 2:23-28)

One Sabbath the Lord was going through the cornfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck ears of corn. And the Pharisees were saying to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?’ And he said to them, ‘Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?’ And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.’

19Jan

Holy Mass of Monday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time | 19 January 2026

19 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Monday of the Second Week of Ordinary Time | 19 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356