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

April 2024

04Apr

What is the season of Eastertide and how long is it?

04 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2024/04/02/what-is-the-season-of-eastertide-and-how-long-is-it/

Eastertide is simply another name for the Easter Season and refers to the time after Easter when the Church focuses on Jesus' resurrection.

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03Apr

Scottish assisted dying bill a 'dangerous idea' says Catholic Church

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24217810.assisted-dying-bill-dangerous-says-catholic-church/

The Catholic Church has described the assisted dying bill which will be voted on by the Scottish Parliament as a "dangerous idea" which…

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03Apr

Easter under the bombs in Zaporizhzhia - Vatican News

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-04/easter-under-fire-zaporizhzhia.html

We speak to the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, who spent Easter in Ukraine under heavy Russian bombardment.

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03Apr

Pope appeals for ceasefire in Gaza - Vatican News

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-appeals-for-ceasefire-in-gaza.html

Pope Francis makes his latest vehement plea for a ceasefire in Gaza, and appeals, once again, for "working tirelessly" for an end to the war, ...

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03Apr

The SCSSA website has been refreshed with new content and style. It now uses 4 main pages to 'speak to' the various users who b...

03 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The SCSSA website has been refreshed with new content and style. It now uses 4 main pages to 'speak to' the various users who browse for safeguarding news, information and advice. https://www.scssa.org.uk
? LISTENING assures abuse survivors that, if they come forward to tell of their experiences, they will be treated with respect and compassion. It also advises anyone hearing a disclosure of abuse how to respond in the first instance
? LEARNING speaks to the importance of all safeguarding personnel in the Church - clergy, religious, employees and volunteers - continuing to learn about abuse and how to respond to disclosures. It is intended to become a gateway into various learning opportunities.
? IMPROVING highlights the SCSSA's primary purpose in monitoring adherence to the Church's Safeguarding standards, as set out in the document 'In God's Image'. It will provide guidance on approaches to self-evaluating and improving safeguarding practice.
? INFORMING provides an opportunity for anyone to "keep in touch' with the SCSSA by subscribing to its news updates.
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese of Glasgow Galloway Diocese RC Diocese of Aberdeen Diocese of Argyll & the Isles Motherwell Diocese Diocese of Paisley Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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01Apr

The easily forgotten truth about the Resurrection

01 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2024/03/30/the-easily-forgotten-truth-about-the-resurrection/

Without the Resurrection, nothing else we believe really matters. Christ rising from the dead is the linchpin of our whole faith.

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01Apr

The Regina Caeli prayer gives Easter joy in just a few seconds

01 Apr, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://aleteia.org/2017/05/29/need-a-taste-of-heaven-and-a-shot-of-joy-try-the-very-short-easter-prayer/

Short and easy, this prayer dates to the 6th century

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March 2024

31Mar

The Exsultet (Easter Proclamation)

31 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://youtu.be/YETnSx9HuMo?si=EzdEGBF8KvFRzXs5

Br. Pádraig McIntyre OSB sings the Exsultet, or Easter Proclamation, which is sung in the light of the paschal candle at the Easter Vigil. This great poetic ...

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31Mar

Bishops' Conference of Scotland

31 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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31Mar

Pope Francis at Easter Urbi et Orbi: Christ is risen! All begins anew! - Vatican News

31 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-04/pope-francis-remembers-world-conflicts-at-urbi-et-orbi.html

Following the Easter Sunday Mass, Pope Francis delivers his Easter message and blessing "To the City and the World," praying especially for the Holy ...

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