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

June 2022

12Jun

- Archbishop revolted by Rwanda refugee plan

12 Jun, 2022 |

“Perhaps if we spent less money funding war and more funding peace; perhaps if we put less effort into selling arms and more effort into eradicating ...

08Jun

- Horn of Africa braces for ‘explosion of child deaths’ as hunger crisis deepens

08 Jun, 2022 |

Somalia alone used to import 92 per cent of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine, but now supply lines are blocked.” UN.

08Jun

- ‘Deliver the care our ocean needs – together’

08 Jun, 2022 |

World Oceans Day marked on 8 June, reminds us of the significant role oceans have in everyday life. Moreover, the 2022 theme – Revitalization: collec...

08Jun

- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data For Scotland Released

08 Jun, 2022 |

Stop Climate Chaos Scotland response to greenhouse gas emissions’ data: Emissions targets met but greater action needed.

07Jun

- Myanmar junta says it will execute two prominent pro-democracy leaders

07 Jun, 2022 |

Four people including ex-MP Phyo Zeya Thaw and Ko Jimmy to be put to death. Tne Guardian.

06Jun

- UK firms begin world's biggest four-day week trial - with no loss of pay

06 Jun, 2022 |

Juliet Schor, professor of sociology at Boston College, and lead researcher on the pilot, said: "The four-day week is generally considered to be a tr...

06Jun

- Over £1m owed by families in Scotland who cannot pay for school meals

06 Jun, 2022 |

Report for Aberlour children’s charity reveals scale of school meal debt for first time. The Guardian.

06Jun

- Clear majority of people crossing Channel are refugees, says UNHCR

06 Jun, 2022 |

UN agency says most arriving in UK by small boat should not be called migrants, in challenge to Priti Patel. The Guardian.

May 2022

31May

- Low-Yield Nukes Are Still Dangerously Destructive

31 May, 2022 |

The term "low-yield nukes" is deceptive since it implies that weapons on par with the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima are less monstrous and more safel...

30May

- 5 things you should know about the UN Ocean Conf, a chance to save the planet’s largest ecosystems

30 May, 2022 |

The Ocean is the planet’s largest ecosystem, regulating the climate, and providing livelihoods for billions. But its health is in danger. The second ...