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

October 2024

21Oct

WMS 2024 | Missio Scotland

21 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.missioscotland.com/wms2024

Missio Scotland Mission Sunday 2024

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20Oct

Strathclyde Diamond Jubilee Town and Gown Lecture Series

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Strathclyde Diamond Jubilee Town and Gown Lecture Series
Professor Sir Harry Burns: 'Conflict or Compassion: How do we choose?'
Wednesday 23 October, 18:00
The Social Hub Glasgow, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ, UKhttps://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/burnsharrysir/

In 2024, we celebrate Strathclyde’s Diamond Jubilee – 60 years since the granting of our Royal Charter. In the penultimate lecture of the Town and Gown series, Professor Sir Harry Burns will discuss the science of how our experiences determine how our brains work and how we value ourselves and others. As well as examine the societal conflicts that divide us—whether between social classes or in the current turmoil in the Middle East. What kind of world could we create if we chose care and compassion over exploitation and violence?

Sir Harry is renowned for addressing the link between poverty and ill health. He started his career in general surgery at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary, before becoming Medical Director, and between 2005 and 2014, was Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Please note this event will not be recorded.

Please register here.
Enquiries to corporate-events@strath.ac.uk

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20Oct

Cup of Salvation: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/cup-of-salvation-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-twenty-ninth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

The sons of Zebedee hardly know what they’re asking in today’s Gospel. They are thinking in terms of how the Gentiles rule, of royal privileges and honors.But the road to Christ’s kingdom is by way of His Cross. To share in His glory, we must be willing to drink the cup that He drinks.

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20Oct

The Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church: An interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory - Vatican News

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In this interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., speaks about the meaning of synodality, the Church’s ...

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20Oct

On the night before the Synod began I prayed at the tomb of St Catherine of Siena seeking her intercession

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

On the night before the Synod began I prayed at the tomb of St Catherine of Siena seeking her intercession. You may remember that before I left Oban I began a novena to St Thérèse of Lisieux for the exact same reason. Rome is full of tombs and Churches dedicated to saints: Our Lady, St Peter, St Paul, St Monica, St Charles Borromeo, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Philip Neri, Popes John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II and many others. During weekends I have visited many Churches to seek the intercession of these and other saints buried or dedicated there. Why? The Communion of Saints. The saints are part of the Church but are now sharing in the glory of Christ in heaven. They have clarity regarding what life is about and they love us, therefore they want to intercede on our behalf. I am aware of the importance of this Synod and my own limitations and therefore it seems natural to me to seek the intercession of my brothers and sisters in heaven. Furthermore, this Synod does not exist in isolation but is part of a long history of many gatherings of Councils and Synods. It is important to remember that what we are doing is not something novel or in isolation but rather part of a long tradition to which I know we must be faithful. For that too I seek the intercession of the saints who were disciples that discerned and followed God’s will, including those who participated in previous Synods and Councils over the past 2,000 years.
All you Saints of God, pray for us.
+Brian

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19Oct

I mentioned at the beginning of October that Pope Francis had established 10 Working Groups to study recommendations which were ...

19 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

I mentioned at the beginning of October that Pope Francis had established 10 Working Groups to study recommendations which were raised during the First Assembly but needed further theological or canonical research. Today we have an opportunity to meet with the Working Groups, which will report back to Pope Francis by the end of June 2025.
The 10 Groups are studying: (i) Ecumenism (ii) Cry of the Poor (iii) Relations between Eastern Catholic and Latin Churches (iv) Relationship between charismatic and hierarchical ministries, including the role of women (v) Bishops, including a synodal method of selection (vi) Relationship between bishop, religious and ecclesial movements (vii) Formation in synodality(viii) How does love and truth relate? - working synodally in difficult dogmatic, pastoral and moral issues (ix) Digital Mission (x) Nuncios. Two further Groups are studying Canon Law and polygamy (pastoral care where traditionally practiced).
If you wish, you can also share your own thoughts with one or more of the Working Groups by emailing synodus@synod.va Interestingly, myself and the Superior General of Female Religious, Sr Mary Barron, both received a document from an Argyll and the Isles parishioner which had arisen from one of our parish’s recent Led by the Spirit Meeting, which has now been passed to the relevant Group.
+Brian
Much of the Assembly’s public activity can be viewed live or recorded on Vatican Media, including prayer sessions and the Theological Forum.

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19Oct

Yesterday we finished the 4th module which also marks the end of our (chocolate munching) Group

19 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Yesterday we finished the 4th module which also marks the end of our (chocolate munching) Group. The theologians and writers have, of course, already been hard at work and now they must finish the draft Final Report over the weekend. They have to bring together a potential 1,650 submissions from groups and individuals in 5 different languages from numerous cultures across the world. Not an easy task! However, it is important work as the Report, once approved, will be presented to Pope Francis. The Report should accurately reflect the Assembly’s discussions but also contain concrete proposals for how the Church can become more synodal and missionary. Please keep the writers in your prayers over the weekend.
Our 5th and final module begins on Monday with Mass in St Peter’s at 7.30am which will be live-streamed on Vatican Media.
+Brian

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18Oct

Romero and Ukraine - Resilience in the face of injustice

18 Oct, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

⏱️15 minute countdown until we are live for The Romero Lecture at the Edinburgh Jesuit Centre.

🕊️Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, will shortly speak on 'Romero and Ukraine: Reslience in the Face of Injustice'.

📺Tune in to our livestream on YouTube at 7pm to follow along:

Archbishop St. Oscar Romero, the outspoken advocate for justice and non-violence in his native El Salvador, has long inspired Christians around the whole wor...

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18Oct

Saint Luke | Franciscan Media

18 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Saint Luke is known to us primarily as the author of the Gospel that bears his name, and Acts of the Apostles. Actually two volumes of one work, Saint Luke instructs and inspires us with his beautiful treatment of the words and deeds of Jesus and of the early Church. We are blessed by his writings.

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17Oct

The Synod in One minute

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beZYJLlWtbc

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