The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

24th February 2026

24 February 2026

Statement on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

The Bishops thank the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) and the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office (SCPO) for the considerable work undertaken to present the Church’s strongly held views on this issue.

We recognise a number of important protections which have been secured. Religious Education remains a central part of the curriculum and will continue to be an entitlement for all pupils. In Catholic schools, Religious Education will remain within the authority of the Bishops’ Conference. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the intrinsic nature of Religious Education and Religious Observance in Catholic schools and, despite these being de-coupled in law, has committed to respecting and continuing both. The Government has also committed to involving SCES in drafting the statutory guidance. Furthermore, the retention of the term “Religious Instruction” in law ensures that the Religious Character of Catholic schools is not reduced solely to classroom learning.

However, we are deeply concerned by the decision to grant Scottish Ministers the power to introduce regulations that would permit young people to withdraw from religious observance without parental involvement. Article 14 of the UNCRC is often quoted selectively, overlooking its clear emphasis on the essential role of parents in a child’s religious upbringing. This narrative risks creating a false divide between children’s rights and parental responsibilities. Any future legislation must uphold the UNCRC’s intention to support families, not diminish their role.

We remain deeply concerned at the official policy of the Scottish Greens to impose a fully secular model of state education – an approach that would strip away Scotland’s denominational schools entirely.

We will work firmly and constructively with the Scottish Government to ensure that Catholic schools continue to be protected in law and safeguarded for the communities they serve.

ENDS

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

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

May 2024

19May

Rachel's Vineyard UK

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

Rachel's Vineyard retreat

A Rachel's Vineyard retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held north of Glasgow on Wednesday 26th – Friday 28th June. This confidential, supportive retreat is powerful for anyone who has been affected by their own or someone else’s abortion experience. For more information, please call/text Sr Andrea on 07816 942824 or email at [email protected]. For more details, see

Hope Rachel's Vineyard is a safe place to renew and rebuild your life after experiencing the trauma of abortion. The healing weekends offer you a supportive, confidential and non-judgemental environment where women and men can deal with painful post-abortive emotions.

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19May

Pray For Life

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

https://prayforlife.ie/

This is an initiative of the Council for Life of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Material from the ‘9 Days for Life’ is adapted and used with permission. Copyright © 2021, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.

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18May

One fruit, many flavors: The work of the Holy Spirit

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

https://aleteia.org/2024/05/17/one-fruit-many-flavors-the-work-of-the-holy-spirit/

Are they truly a singular “fruit” with various aspects, or is it more accurate to view them as a collection of distinct “fruits”?

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17May

Cardinal Pizzaballa brings hope, solidarity and support into Gaza - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/
Pray for Spirit of peace this Pentecost

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem enters the besieged Gaza Strip bringing the closeness of the Church to the people and offering a message of ...

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17May

Pope blesses "Voice of the Unborn" bell destined for Kazakhstan - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-poland-kazakhstan-voice-unborn-bell.html

Pope Francis blesses the "Voice of the Unborn" bell, which will be taken to Kazakhstan, and will serve as a reminder of the importance of protecting ...

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17May

Patriarch Bartholomew: Preparations underway for 1700th anniversary of Nicaea - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-05/patriarch-bartholomew-climate-nicaea-ukraine-gaza.html

Bartholomew I of Constantinople speaks to Vatican News about ecological conversion. He also discusses the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the ecumenical ...

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17May

To God be honour and glory for ever

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

To God be honour and glory for ever. May he fill us with hope and with the power of the Holy Spirit.
– Lord, you are our help and our salvation.
Almighty Father, send your Holy Spirit to turn our words into prayers and our seeking into finding;
– Lord, you are our help and our salvation.
Send your Holy Spirit to turn our darkness into light and our falseness into truth;
– Lord, you are our help and our salvation.
Send your Holy Spirit to bring order out of chaos and love out of hatred;
– Lord, you are our help and our salvation.
Send your Holy Spirit to change contempt for the weak into reverence for your children;
– Lord, you are our help and our salvation.

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14May

Saint Matthias | Franciscan Media

14 May, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Acts of the Apostles records that Saint Matthias was selected by the early Church to replace Judas Iscariot in the ranks of the apostles. We know little more about him except that he was a witness to Jesus from his baptism to his ascension.

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13May

Our Lady of Fatima | Franciscan Media

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

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

Like the apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes, this appearance was not given to Church officials, but to children. Through them, Mary requested that the Church spread devotion to the rosary to all the faithful.

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12May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

12 May, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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