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

April 2024

04Apr

An exceptional a cappella Easter hymn from Kings Return

04 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2024/04/03/an-exceptional-a-cappella-easter-hymn-from-kings-return/

This outstanding a cappella choir routinely performs Christian hymns in imaginative and downright gorgeous tones of R&B, barbershop, jazz, and gospel.

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

04Apr

Pope holds Rosary, Bible of dead Ukrainian soldier

04 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2024/04/03/pope-holds-rosary-bible-of-dead-ukrainian-soldier/
Let us pray for peace!

Pope Francis notes that the young man, Alexander, had Psalm 130 underlined. He was only 23.

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

04Apr

What is the season of Eastertide and how long is it?

04 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2024/04/02/what-is-the-season-of-eastertide-and-how-long-is-it/

Eastertide is simply another name for the Easter Season and refers to the time after Easter when the Church focuses on Jesus' resurrection.

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

03Apr

Scottish assisted dying bill a 'dangerous idea' says Catholic Church

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24217810.assisted-dying-bill-dangerous-says-catholic-church/

The Catholic Church has described the assisted dying bill which will be voted on by the Scottish Parliament as a "dangerous idea" which…

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

03Apr

Easter under the bombs in Zaporizhzhia - Vatican News

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-04/easter-under-fire-zaporizhzhia.html

We speak to the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, who spent Easter in Ukraine under heavy Russian bombardment.

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

03Apr

Pope appeals for ceasefire in Gaza - Vatican News

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-appeals-for-ceasefire-in-gaza.html

Pope Francis makes his latest vehement plea for a ceasefire in Gaza, and appeals, once again, for "working tirelessly" for an end to the war, ...

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

03Apr

The SCSSA website has been refreshed with new content and style. It now uses 4 main pages to 'speak to' the various users who b...

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The SCSSA website has been refreshed with new content and style. It now uses 4 main pages to 'speak to' the various users who browse for safeguarding news, information and advice. https://www.scssa.org.uk
? LISTENING assures abuse survivors that, if they come forward to tell of their experiences, they will be treated with respect and compassion. It also advises anyone hearing a disclosure of abuse how to respond in the first instance
? LEARNING speaks to the importance of all safeguarding personnel in the Church - clergy, religious, employees and volunteers - continuing to learn about abuse and how to respond to disclosures. It is intended to become a gateway into various learning opportunities.
? IMPROVING highlights the SCSSA's primary purpose in monitoring adherence to the Church's Safeguarding standards, as set out in the document 'In God's Image'. It will provide guidance on approaches to self-evaluating and improving safeguarding practice.
? INFORMING provides an opportunity for anyone to "keep in touch' with the SCSSA by subscribing to its news updates.
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese of Glasgow Galloway Diocese RC Diocese of Aberdeen Diocese of Argyll & the Isles Motherwell Diocese Diocese of Paisley Bishops' Conference of Scotland

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

01Apr

The easily forgotten truth about the Resurrection

01 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2024/03/30/the-easily-forgotten-truth-about-the-resurrection/

Without the Resurrection, nothing else we believe really matters. Christ rising from the dead is the linchpin of our whole faith.

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

01Apr

The Regina Caeli prayer gives Easter joy in just a few seconds

01 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2017/05/29/need-a-taste-of-heaven-and-a-shot-of-joy-try-the-very-short-easter-prayer/

Short and easy, this prayer dates to the 6th century

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)

March 2024

31Mar

The Exsultet (Easter Proclamation)

31 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://youtu.be/YETnSx9HuMo?si=EzdEGBF8KvFRzXs5

Br. Pádraig McIntyre OSB sings the Exsultet, or Easter Proclamation, which is sung in the light of the paschal candle at the Easter Vigil. This great poetic ...

(Feed generated with FetchRSS)