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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.

Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

30th July 2026


30 July 2026

Bishop Welcomes Prime Minister’s Call to Prioritise Care Reforms Before Westminster Assisted Suicide Vote

Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop with responsibility for Marriage, Family and Life for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for the serious gaps in palliative and social care to be addressed before the Westminster Parliament considers assisted suicide legislation.

Bishop Keenan said:

“The Prime Minister’s intervention is both timely and welcome. We have a duty to ensure that every person approaching the end of life has access to the compassionate palliative and social care they deserve. No one should ever feel driven towards assisted suicide because they lack the care, support or dignity they need.

“We were grateful that the Scottish Parliament resolutely rejected assisted suicide only recently. We hope this latest intervention will encourage Members of the Westminster Parliament to reflect carefully before taking a step that would fundamentally change the way our society cares for the sick and vulnerable.

“As our Catholic Parliamentary Officer, Anthony Horan, has rightly said: ‘The last thing the country needs is another divisive debate about assisted suicide. We need to make progress in improving palliative and social care, not offering vulnerable people state support to end their lives.’ I share that conviction wholeheartedly.

“This is an opportunity to rethink the whole approach to assisted suicide. The compassionate response to suffering is never to help people end their lives, but to ensure they receive the high-quality care, love and accompaniment they need. Let us pray for all who are seriously ill, for their families and carers, and for those in public office, that they may always uphold the dignity of every human life and work to build a society that truly cares for its most vulnerable members.”

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn
July 2025



Light a Free Prayer Candle for Komanda | www.prayercandles.org

In a heartbreaking act of violence, over 40 faithful—including women and children—lost their lives while gathered in prayer at the Parish of Blessed Anuarite in Komanda, eastern Congo.

Pope Leo XIV called these victims martyrs, praying their sacrifice would become “a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the Congolese people.”

Let us answer that call.

💔 Join us in honoring the memory of these innocent souls.
🕯️ Light a free virtual prayer candle today in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters.
🙏 Pray for healing, justice, and an end to this brutal violence.

www.prayercandles.org

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

#PrayerCandle #CongoChurch #PraywithMe
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In the SCSSA's Annual Report, Survivors describe their positive encounters with the agency. http://bit.ly/3T1SiXc
🟣 Mark Joseph Williams, author of 'Torrent of Grace', admires the "passion and commitment of the SCSSA for a safer Church".
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese of Glasgow Motherwell DioceseRC Diocese of Aberdeen RC Diocese of Galloway Diocese of Argyll & the Isles Diocese of Paisley Bishops' Conference of Scotland
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Marie Seenan, one of our Parish volunteers, told us how valuable she found our film, Dignity.

She said:

"As named Parish Contact for St. Vincent de Paul Parish East Kilbride, I have greatly valued the wealth of resources available on SCIAF’s website to support me in promoting their work.

"We have also greatly benefited from visits by Community Engagement Officers, Jenna and Michael and from Mark Booker, Engagement and Education Manager.

"One such visit, during this year’s Lenten Campaign was from Michael Hamilton who visited our Parish to deliver a WEE BOX workshop and to show a screening of SCIAF's "Dignity" documentary. The documentary showcases the charity’s work in Zambia, highlighting their focus on dignity through various initiatives.

"An added feature was music by Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue, a long-time SCIAF supporter, and aims to inspire viewers to support SCIAF’s work.

"The documentary successfully demonstrated the positive impact of SCIAF's work on individuals and communities, emphasising their commitment to upholding human dignity. Feedback from parishioners who attended the screening of the documentary, described it as inspiring and heart-warming, effectively conveying the importance of SCIAF's mission and the dignity of the people they serve.

"I would certainly encourage as many parishes as possible to provide an opportunity for their parishioners to view this documentary. It certainly had an impact on our Parishioners and inspired us to continue praying for and supporting the work of SCIAF in our Parish."

🍿Watch or download the film today: https://pulse.ly/ltfm1pwm4m

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about setting up a screening session in your school or Parish.
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-07/cardinal-parolin-call-palestinian-state-decries-hunger-gaza.html


In a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of a Jubilee event for digital influencers, Cardinal Parolin emphasizes the importance of ...
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/pope-leo-xiv-message-environment-clameurs-rally-in-jambville.html


Pope Leo XIV writes to French guides and scouts partaking in the “Clameurs” Rally in Jambville, which concludes today, insisting that an ecological ...
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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/265591/massacre-in-congolese-catholic-church-kills-at-least-31-worshippers


According to the BBC, members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed a church in the town of Komanda, where they shot and killed the worshippers.
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The Christian village of Taibeh in the West Bank was once again targeted by extremist Israeli settlers in a nighttime attack, despite recent ...
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Pope Leo XIV marks the 5th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly and welcomes young pilgrims of hope arriving in Rome for their Jubilee.
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Pope Leo addresses the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Angelus and reminds them of the significance of the Our Father prayer, stressing ...
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