CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CHURCH OF SCOTLAND JOINT STATEMENT

Scotland's Church leaders have issued a joint statement on Gaza, calling on the immediate recognition of the State of Palestine by the United Kingdom Government and for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and the establishment of a just and lasting peace that includes a viable future Palestinian state:

"We unite to ask for the immediate cessation of violence and the relief of the suffering of the people in Gaza, and echo the words of Pope Leo in calling for 'a ceasefire, for the release of the hostages, for a negotiated diplomatic solution, and for full respect for international humanitarian law.'

"In reaffirming the "inviolable dignity" of each person made in the image of God, he reaffirms that understanding which we hold in common and speaks of a dignity that deserves to be "respected and protected". We are deeply conscious of the extent to which that human dignity has been violated and that both young and old, strong and vulnerable, are all alike exposed to the threat of death and destruction.

"In the light of this, we call for the release of the hostages taken on 7 October 2023 and an immediate ceasefire for the sake of all.

"Further, we call for all parties to unite in the provision of humanitarian aid and, while recognising the extreme difficulties faced by all agencies in this regard, we ask that, as a matter of urgency, an accord be reached which would enable such provision to be made.

"We are especially conscious of the perilous situation faced by the Christian church in Gaza, and we pray for those who in their suffering continue to bear witness to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"We urge the United Kingdom Government to recognise the State of Palestine and call upon the Government to now fulfil its stated intention to do so, and thereafter to join the international community in seeking to establish a viable State within Gaza and the West Bank.

"We recall that the Vatican recognised the State of Palestine in May 2015 and we join with all those who affirm the right of self-determination by the Palestinian people.

Signatories
Bishop John Keenan, President, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland
Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

📸 MASS CLIMATE LOBBY AT THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT

Yesterday Justice & Peace Scotland staff and volunteers joined over 500 people at the Scottish Parliament for Scotland’s largest ever mass climate lobby. People from across the country came together to meet with MSPs, urging them to strengthen Scotland’s climate commitments and stand up for climate justice.

The event, organised by Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, comes at a crucial time as the Scottish Government prepares its new Climate Change Plan. For us this is not only about policies but about responding to Pope Francis’ call in Laudato Si’ to “hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”

📢 Andrew Smith, our Campaigns & Communications Coordinator, said:

“Scotland has a responsibility to show real leadership in tackling the climate crisis. Every delay and every broken promise has consequences; not just here at home, but for our sisters and brothers in the Global South who are already living with the devastating impacts of climate change. Laudato Si’ reminds us that caring for creation is a moral duty. We need urgent action, rooted in justice, to protect our common home and build a future of hope for all.”

🙏A PRAYER FOR LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR

In recent weeks we’ve seen demonstrations across the UK that risk fuelling fear, division, and hostility; many of these events have specifically targeted people of different faiths and those seeking asylum.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to walk a different path: the way of love, peace, and unity. We invite you to join us in this short prayer, asking God to open our hearts to tolerance, compassion, and the courage to stand together as one human family who are all brothers and sisters in Christ:

✝️God of all peoples,
in a world divided by fear and suspicion,
open our hearts to see one another as You see us.

When anger rises, plant peace.
When prejudice blinds, restore vision.
When hatred shouts, teach us to listen with love.

Strengthen us to stand with our neighbours,
whatever their language, faith, or homeland,
so that together we may build a community
where dignity is honoured,
differences are cherished,
and Your love is made visible.

Amen.

🚨BREAKING: New Report Out Today

Justice & Peace Scotland joins more than 80 civil society organisations worldwide in launching a major campaign calling for a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

From stolen land to global complicity this new report exposes how foreign states, corporations, and financial institutions sustain and legitimise Israel’s illegal settlement enterprise. These settlements violate international law and devastate Palestinian lives.

🚫It's time to Stop Settlement Trade!

📄 Read the key findings of the report in the link in comments.

📢 Help us spread the word: Share this report and call on the UK government to ban settlement trade. Together we can end the UK's complicity in Israel’s illegal settlements.

✨ Commemorating 60 Years of SCIAF

Yesterday we were privileged to join with people from across Scotland at St Columbkille’s Church in Rutherglen where Bishop Brian McGee celebrated Mass to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of our close friends and frequent collaborators, SCIAF.

While SCIAF themselves reminded us that it is not a cause for celebration that their mission has been so urgently needed for six decades, we believe it is most certainly a moment to honour and give thanks for the work they do and impact they have had. For sixty years SCIAF has been a prophetic voice for justice and compassion, tirelessly working for a world free from poverty, where every person can flourish and where humanity lives in right relationship with God's creation.

We are deeply grateful for SCIAF’s witness and action on behalf of Scotland’s Catholic community and we look forward to continuing to work alongside them in the shared mission of building God’s Kingdom of justice and peace.