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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September 2025

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

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💭Did you know about the extent of this displacement?

📢 Share the stories. Demand an end to the injustice of illegal settlements.

#StopSettlements #EndTheOccupation #WestBank #Palestine

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

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

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09Sep

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

🎥"Palestinian Life Under Israel's Illegal Occupation" - Episode 1: Land Confiscation and Impact on Agriculture.

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📢 Share their story. Demand an end to the injustice of illegal settlements.

🎥 This is Episode 1 in a series produced by Palestinians. We'll share Episode 2 tomorrow.

#StopSettlements #EndTheOccupation #WestBank #palestine
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.

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📢SAVE THE DATE: Join us for the Scotland Demands Better march!

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

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08Sep

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

🎥 "Palestinian Life Under Israel’s Illegal Occupation" - A powerful new video series produced by Palestinians calling on the world to witness and act.

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#WestBank #StopSettlements #EndTheOccupation
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.