The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHURCH OF SCOTLAND JOINT STATEMENT

Scotland's Church leaders have issued a joint statement on Gaza, calling on the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine by the United Kingdom Government and for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and the establishment of a just and lasting peace that includes a viable future Palestinian state:

"We unite to ask for the immediate cessation of violence and the relief of the suffering of the people in Gaza, and echo the words of Pope Leo in calling for 'a ceasefire, for the release of the hostages, for a negotiated diplomatic solution, and for full respect for international humanitarian law.'

"In reaffirming the "inviolable dignity" of each person made in the image of God, he reaffirms that understanding which we hold in common and speaks of a dignity that deserves to be "respected and protected". We are deeply conscious of the extent to which that human dignity has been violated and that both young and old, strong and vulnerable, are all alike exposed to the threat of death and destruction.

"In the light of this, we call for the release of the hostages taken on 7 October 2023 and an immediate ceasefire for the sake of all.

"Further, we call for all parties to unite in the provision of humanitarian aid and, while recognising the extreme difficulties faced by all agencies in this regard, we ask that, as a matter of urgency, an accord be reached which would enable such provision to be made.

"We are especially conscious of the perilous situation faced by the Christian church in Gaza, and we pray for those who in their suffering continue to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"We urge the United Kingdom Government to recognise the State of Palestine and call upon the Government to now fulfil its stated intention to do so, and thereafter to join the international community in seeking to establish a viable State within Gaza and the West Bank.

"We recall that the Vatican recognised the State of Palestine in May 2015 and we join with all those who affirm the right of self-determination by the Palestinian people.

Signatories
Bishop John Keenan, President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland
Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

🕊️ To mark the UN International Day of Peace this coming Sunday, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has issued an invitation to join her in prayer for peace in the Middle East. Archbishop William Nolan, President of Justice & Peace Scotland, has also asked us to unite our prayers with hers.

🙏 The prayer we are invited to say together is written by Most Rev Archbishop Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem:

God of peace, God of justice,
we bring before you the pain and suffering of your people.

We pray for wisdom for leaders, compassion in our communities,
and hope in the midst of despair.

May your Spirit guide us towards peace,
and may we always be courageous in choosing what is right.
Amen.

🤍Please share the call to pray together this Sunday for peace.

Joint statement of Catholic Church with the Church of Scotland
Church Leaders' statement on Gaza, and on the recognition of the State of Palestine by the United Kingdom Government:
We unite to ask for the immediate cessation of violence and the relief of the suffering of the people in Gaza, and echo the words of Pope Leo in calling for "a ceasefire, for the release of the hostages, for a negotiated diplomatic solution, and for full respect for international humanitarian law." In reaffirming the "inviolable dignity" of each person made in the image of God, he reaffirms that understanding which we hold in common and speaks of a dignity that deserves to be "respected and protected". We are deeply conscious of the extent to which that human dignity has been violated and that both young and old, strong and vulnerable, are all alike exposed to the threat of death and destruction.

In the light of this, we call for the release of the hostages taken on 7 October 2023 and an immediate ceasefire for the sake of all.
Further, we call for all parties to unite in the provision of humanitarian aid and, while recognising the extreme difficulties faced by all agencies in this regard, we ask that, as a matter of urgency, an accord be reached which would enable such provision to be made.

We are especially conscious of the perilous situation faced by the Christian church in Gaza, and we pray for those who in their suffering continue to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We urge the United Kingdom Government to recognise the State of Palestine and call upon the Government to now fulfil its stated intention to do so, and thereafter to join the international community in seeking to establish a viable State within Gaza and the West Bank. We recall that the Vatican recognised the State of Palestine in May 2015 and we join with all those who affirm the right of self-determination by the Palestinian people.

Signatories
Bishop John Keenan, President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland
Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

📸 MASS CLIMATE LOBBY AT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Yesterday Justice & Peace Scotland staff and volunteers joined over 500 people at the Scottish Parliament for Scotland’s largest ever mass climate lobby. People from across the country came together to meet with MSPs, urging them to strengthen Scotland’s climate commitments and stand up for climate justice.

The event, organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, comes at a crucial time as the Scottish Government prepares its new Climate Change Plan. For us this is not only about policies but about responding to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

📢 Andrew Smith, our Campaigns & Communications Coordinator, said:

“Scotland has a responsibility to show real leadership in tackling the climate crisis. Every delay and every broken promise has consequences; not just here at home, but for our sisters and brothers in the Global South who are already living with the devastating impacts of climate change. Laudato Si’ reminds us that caring for creation is a moral duty. We need urgent action, rooted in justice, to protect our common home and build a future of hope for all.”