The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

17th March 2026

17 March 2026

Scotland Rejects Assisted Dying and Affirms Human Dignity

MSPs can be confident that they have taken the correct and responsible course of action. Their vote serves to protect some of Scotland’s most vulnerable individuals from the risk of being pressured into a premature death.

Every human life possesses inherent value. Genuine compassion is not expressed through ending a life, but through accompanying those who suffer and ensuring they receive the medical, emotional, and spiritual support that recognises their dignity. No life is without worth.

As a society, our responsibility is not to address suffering by eliminating the sufferer, but to surround each person with care, respect, and dignity until their natural end. Today’s decision moves Scotland further in that direction, and MSPs should be commended for this.

However, we must continue to make progress. Our next priority must be to strengthen palliative care by ensuring that it is properly funded and accessible to all who require it.

I would like to express my gratitude to all MSPs for their serious engagement with this issue and for the thoughtful and considered attention they have given to the bill. I am especially grateful to those who upheld the principle of human dignity and advocated on behalf of the vulnerable. Your principled commitment has not gone unnoticed.

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

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

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May 2024

12May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

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12May

🔎 youtube come down o love divine – Google Søgning

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

https://www.google.com/search?q=youtube come down o love divine&sca_esv=c2f96fb7793eaf7e&source=hp&ei=j6hAZuqwJ9WDxc8PsoChuAE&iflsig=AL9hbdgAAAAAZkC2n5L2HvwJ7zWcyQ3ti1Y8mCXM_hyK&oq=youtube come down o &gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:727cd456,vid:6HPKL1wOVXk,st:0

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12May

Lord's Day Reflection: 'Go and Proclaim' - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-05/gospel-reflection-seventh-sunday-easter-year-c.html

As the Church marks the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Jenny Kraska offers her thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: "Go and ...

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12May

Lord's Day Reflection: 'Go and Proclaim' - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-05/gospel-reflection-seventh-sunday-easter-year-c.html

As the Church marks the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Jenny Kraska offers her thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: "Go and ...

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12May

Pope: Holy See ready to facilitate exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-francis-appeal-exchane-prisoner-russia-ukraine.html

Pope Francis renews his appeal for an exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war, assuring the Holy See’s readiness to facilitate efforts in ...

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11May

World Communications Day is this Sunday (12 May)

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

World Communications Day is this Sunday (12 May).

?? Thanks to all parish volunteers who assist clergy with social media, websites and newsletters!

?? A letter from Bishop Toal (Motherwell Diocese) President of the National Communications Commission, is available on our website, along with the Holy Father's message.

?? A special collection is scheduled for Masses this weekend for the apostolate of communications, which helps fund the Catholic Media Office.

?? Keep up to date with new & events in the Archdiocese via www.archedinburgh.org/new-events and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube.

?? Our communications officer is Matt Meade. Parishes are encouraged to contact him for any comms assistance at [email protected] | 07833 208 211.

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10May

Home 2024 - Laudato Si Week

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

https://laudatosiweek.org/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2024-05-09&utm_campaign=May Laudato Si Week new Board

Seeds of Hope May 19-26, 2024 Download the Celebration Guide to fully experience this Laudato Si’ Week Download it here This Laudato Si’ Week and Pentecost, let us gather in community to contemplate and nurture seeds of hope for our “suffering planet” (LD 2). Laudate Deum is a reminder about...

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09May

'I will remain faithful': The love of Sr. Nijole Sadunaite

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

https://www.ncronline.org/news/i-will-remain-faithful-love-sr-nijole-sadunaite Inspiring faith!

n an interview a year before her death, Sr. Nijole Sadunaite recounted her time in a Soviet prison camp, seeming to dismiss years of persecution as nothing too out of the ordinary.

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09May

The Good News: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Ascension of the Lord

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

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/the-good-news-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-ascension-of-the-lord-2/

In today’s first reading, St. Luke gives the surprising news that there is more of the story to be told. The story did not end with the empty tomb, or with Jesus’ appearances to the Apostles over the course of forty days. Jesus’ saving work will have a liturgical consummation. He is the great

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09May

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/liturgical-holidays/solemnity-of-the-ascension-of-the-lord.html

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - Vatican News

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