The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Pope Francis RIP

17th December 1936 – 21st April 2025

May he rest in peace

Message of Bishop Keenan President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

It was with deep sadness that we woke to the news that Pope Francis has died and we share in the sense of loss of millions of people across the world. It is a consolation to us that he went to the LORD on Easter Monday and the great Easter Day as a sort of first fruits of the salvation which the Risen Christ shares with His Church.

We thank GOD for the Pope’s service which was always human and humble in its informal style and with a message of GOD’s universal love and unconditional mercy that brought hope to so many.

A man of the poor who lived simply, Pope Francis was a voice for the voiceless and all those who find themselves on the margins in our world. A man of peace, he called the Church to listen to everyone, to move forward together as a family, to find a conciliatory approach to those of different beliefs and lifestyles, for an end to conflicts across the world and for the care of Creation as GOD’s precious gift to humanity.

He gave of himself to the end, offering up his final illness with serenity, his last acts being to visit Rome’s prison on Holy Thursday and to wish the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s a Happy Easter.

We pray he will be enjoying the full fruits of the Resurrection, resting from his work, his good deeds going with him.

May he rest in peace.

Bishop John Keenan

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.

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

Webinar - Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si - Raising Hope for Climate Justice - Wednesday 23rd April, 7.30pm-9pm

News from the Commissions and Agencies

July 2024

17Jul

Press Statement – Anscombe Centre Publishes Guide on Scottish Assisted Suicide Consultation & Calls for Public Engagement | Ansc...

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

https://www.bioethics.org.uk/news-events/news-from-the-centre/press-statement-anscombe-centre-publishes-guide-on-scottish-assisted-suicide-consultation-calls-for-public-engagement/

On 07 June, the Health, Sport and Social Care Committee of the Scottish Parliament opened a call for evidence on Liam McArthur MSP’s ‘Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill’.

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17Jul

Not Dead Yet UK

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

https://notdeadyetuk.co.uk/

We are a UK-based network who are part of a global alliance of disabled people, who oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide. But what are the reasons behind our position?

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16Jul

Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Franciscan Media

16 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-mount-carmel/

The Blessed Virgin has many, many titles--among them is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is in northern Israel and has long been the site of a monastery of religious monks. The entire Church celebrates this feast along with the Carmelite Monks and Nuns.

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13Jul

Sea Sunday 14th July 2024

13 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stellamaris.org.uk/seasunday/?utm_source=CATHOLIC+NETWORK&utm_campaign=940d4c941d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_11_02_08_53_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ed6d059f57-940d4c941d-576190010

Join us as we come together to pray for seafarers and fishers, and thank them for their vital role in our lives.

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13Jul

Holy See: Supporting developing countries is a 'moral imperative' - Vatican News

13 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-07/holy-see-supporting-developing-countries-is-a-moral-imperative.html

The Vatican's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, addresses the 2024 High-Level Political Forum in New York, urging ...

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11Jul

Integral Human Development: a Holistic Approach to Restoring Dignity | SCIAF

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This document is a high-level summary and draws on Integral Human Development to outline a vision for the Loss and Damage fund which will truly deliver holistic solutions for people.

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11Jul

Bishops' Conference of Scotland

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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11Jul

6 July 2024

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

6 July 2024
Dear Prime Minister
On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and the Scottish Catholic community, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I was pleased to note your intent to create a government of service to all and wish you well in this noble endeavour.
The Bishops of Scotland are acutely aware of the challenges our country, and the wider world, currently face, not least the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Holy Land, and the continuing difficulties faced by the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
May I assure you, your family, and the government you lead, of my prayers as you confront these many challenges.

Yours sincerely,

Bishop Hugh Gilbert
Bishop of Aberdeen
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

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11Jul

Saint Benedict | Franciscan Media

11 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Saint Benedict is known as the Father of Western Monasticism due to his great influence on the shape and character of monastic life in the West. Living the life of a hermit, others witnessed his lifestyle and wanted to follow.

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10Jul

🌱SEASON OF CREATION CONFERENCE 2024

10 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

🌱SEASON OF CREATION CONFERENCE 2024

Join the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Care For Creation Office for the Season Of Creation Conference 2024.

📅Sat 7th September 2024
📍St. Margaret’s, Raploch, Stirling
📝Booking is essential but free: tinyurl.com/46wmt9ah

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to the cry of Creation. This year's theme is "hope and act for creation". The Care of Creation Office is hosting the Conference to allow parishioners from across the country to come together and explore how we may hope and act for creation in our own dioceses and parishes and how we can act on the message of Pope Francis to care for our common home.

➡️Share with any interested friends, parishioners, parish groups and Laudato Si networks - and we hope to see you on Sat 7th September!

Many thanks everyone,

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