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

September 2025

08Sep

Yesterday at St Costanzo Perugia

08 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Yesterday at St Costanzo Perugia

08Sep

📢JOIN US FOR SCOTLAND DEMANDS BETTER

08 Sep, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📢JOIN US FOR SCOTLAND DEMANDS BETTER

Justice & Peace Scotland is proud to join the Scotland Demands Better campaign in collaboration with over 100 partners in The Poverty Alliance.

🪧On Saturday 25th October we will be joining the Scotland Demands Better March in Edinburgh under the Justice & Peace Scotland banner and we are asking all our supporters to come together to demand a Scotland where all can live with dignity.

Over 1 million people in Scotland are living in poverty, including more than one in five children. This is not the vision of society we strive for in seeking to realise dignity and the common good for all as envisioned in Catholic Social Teaching.

The SDB campaign is asking for:
🔹Better jobs for everyone who needs one with fair conditions and wages that pay the bills.
🔹Better investment for life's essentials: like affordable homes, good public transport, a thriving natural environment and strong public services.
🔹Better social security so that all of us have a foundation for the future.

🗓️SAVE THE DATE NOW to join us this October in calling for a Scotland where everyone can thrive!
🕤The march will leave from the Scottish Parliament around 9.30-10am and proceed up the Royal Mile and along George IV Bridge to The Meadows.
🎤There we'll have a family-friendly rally with a festival feel, including music, speeches, and entertainment.
📍Nearer the time we will share our exact assembly point and meeting time so please keep an eye on our social media or join our mailing list.

Let's come together to show that Scotland Demands Better for all!

08Sep

Pope: Saints call us to look to God, make masterpieces of our lives - Vatican News

08 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-09/pope-leo-saints-call-us-to-god-make-masterpieces-of-our-lives.html

Addressing over eighty thousand faithful filling Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday for the Mass with the canonization of Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo ...

08Sep

Photos from RC Diocese of Galloway's post

08 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

08Sep

As Bishop Frank waits with other bishops to celebrate canonisation of news saints, he finds himself near statue of an earlier Sa...

08 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

As Bishop Frank waits with other bishops to celebrate canonisation of news saints, he finds himself near statue of an earlier Saint who has had his influence on our diocese: St Marcelin Champagnat, founder of the Marists who founded St Joseph's College in Dumfries.

07Sep

This content isn't available right now

07 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

07Sep

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

07 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the National pilgrimage visited Perugia and celebrated Mass in the church of St Costanzo a martyr during the first persecutions and patron of Perugia 🙏

06Sep

Speakers from Eco Congregation Scotland Rev David Coleman and Stephen Curran, who joined Archbishop Nolan and the Care of Creati...

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

Speakers from Eco Congregation Scotland Rev David Coleman and Stephen Curran, who joined Archbishop Nolan and the Care of Creation agency at the annual Season of Creation Conference in Stirling today

06Sep

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

National pilgrimage for the Jubilee celebrated Holy Mass in the church of St Clare before visiting the basilica of St Francis

06Sep

Two weeks today join Youth (P6-S4) and Young Adults (S5-30) from across Scotland for the annual National Youth Pilgrimage on Sat...

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

Two weeks today join Youth (P6-S4) and Young Adults (S5-30) from across Scotland for the annual National Youth Pilgrimage on Saturday 20th September. This year, they’ll be gathering in Perth where they’ll be talking about the Reformation and the Nicene Creed. In Perth, the group will be split into Youth and Young Adults with content delivered according to age. Free transport is available, but please register to secure your place: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/r1fumCUCi1