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.

BISHOPS RESPOND TO SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT'S PALLIATIVE CARE CONSULTATION

Scotland’s Catholic Bishops: Scottish Government’s laudable draft strategy on palliative care stands in stark contrast to dangerous assisted suicide proposal

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has responded positively to Scottish Government proposals for a new strategy on palliative care.

In its submission to a recent consultation the bishops declared their support for the draft strategy, stating that the proposals “uphold the dignity of human life for those at the end of life, their families, and carers” and said that the “laudable” proposals “stand in stark contrast to the dangerous Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill” currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.

The bishops said: “rather than being used to kill people, many of whom are vulnerable, public resources should be invested in helping people to live and to be more comfortable at the end of life.”

The bishops emphasised the crucial role of palliative care, declaring it to be “a precious and crucial instrument in the care of patients during terminal illness” and encouraged the government to ensure that a framework is in place to allow hospices to be appropriately funded to continue to deliver end-of-life care to all those who need it.

The bishops also stressed the importance of spiritual care and assistance for patients and their families at the end of life and called for such support to be a key element of a holistic approach to end-of-life care. Please see the full submission at the Catholic Parliamentary Office website

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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

July 2024

17Jul

Pope Francis: Listen to women, often overlooked and undervalued - Vatican News

17 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-07/pope-francis-women-dialogue-ministries-synod.html

Pope Francis writes the preface for a book entitled “Women and Ministries in the Synodal Church,” authored by two cardinals and three female ...

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17Jul

Press Statement – Anscombe Centre Publishes Guide on Scottish Assisted Suicide Consultation & Calls for Public Engagement | Ansc...

17 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.bioethics.org.uk/news-events/news-from-the-centre/press-statement-anscombe-centre-publishes-guide-on-scottish-assisted-suicide-consultation-calls-for-public-engagement/

On 07 June, the Health, Sport and Social Care Committee of the Scottish Parliament opened a call for evidence on Liam McArthur MSP’s ‘Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill’.

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17Jul

Not Dead Yet UK

17 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://notdeadyetuk.co.uk/

We are a UK-based network who are part of a global alliance of disabled people, who oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide. But what are the reasons behind our position?

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16Jul

Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Franciscan Media

16 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-mount-carmel/

The Blessed Virgin has many, many titles--among them is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is in northern Israel and has long been the site of a monastery of religious monks. The entire Church celebrates this feast along with the Carmelite Monks and Nuns.

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13Jul

Sea Sunday 14th July 2024

13 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stellamaris.org.uk/seasunday/?utm_source=CATHOLIC+NETWORK&utm_campaign=940d4c941d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_11_02_08_53_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ed6d059f57-940d4c941d-576190010

Join us as we come together to pray for seafarers and fishers, and thank them for their vital role in our lives.

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13Jul

Holy See: Supporting developing countries is a 'moral imperative' - Vatican News

13 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-07/holy-see-supporting-developing-countries-is-a-moral-imperative.html

The Vatican's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, addresses the 2024 High-Level Political Forum in New York, urging ...

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11Jul

Integral Human Development: a Holistic Approach to Restoring Dignity | SCIAF

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This document is a high-level summary and draws on Integral Human Development to outline a vision for the Loss and Damage fund which will truly deliver holistic solutions for people.

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11Jul

Bishops' Conference of Scotland

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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11Jul

6 July 2024

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

6 July 2024
Dear Prime Minister
On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and the Scottish Catholic community, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I was pleased to note your intent to create a government of service to all and wish you well in this noble endeavour.
The Bishops of Scotland are acutely aware of the challenges our country, and the wider world, currently face, not least the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Holy Land, and the continuing difficulties faced by the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
May I assure you, your family, and the government you lead, of my prayers as you confront these many challenges.

Yours sincerely,

Bishop Hugh Gilbert
Bishop of Aberdeen
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

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11Jul

Saint Benedict | Franciscan Media

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-benedict/

Saint Benedict is known as the Father of Western Monasticism due to his great influence on the shape and character of monastic life in the West. Living the life of a hermit, others witnessed his lifestyle and wanted to follow.

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