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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April 2025

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03Apr

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03Apr

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03 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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03 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

For the first time ever the entire Bishops’ Conference visited our Scottish MPs at Westminster, organised by Anthony Horan our Parliamentary Officer. We met with the Scottish Office, celebrated Mass in Westminster and had an open meeting with the MPs for dialogue and building relationships. I was delighted that all 4 of the MPs who represent the people of our diocese participated in the Mass: Brendan O’Hara (Argyll, Bute & South Lochaber), Angus MacDonald (Inverness, Skye & West Ross-shire), Torcuil Crichton (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) and Irene Campbell (not in photo but represents Arran). The MPs expressed their gratitude for our visit which they described as supportive. Issues raised included sectarianism, migration and racism, the cutting of Overseas Development Aid, welfare cuts, child poverty and (toxic) social media.

March 2025

24Mar

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24 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-03/pope-francis-makes-first-public-greeting-thanking-everyone.html

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✝️Today is the 45th anniversary of the assassination of St Oscar Romero, who was killed by a single shot fired while he was cele...

24 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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24Mar

Cardinal Parolin: ‘There is no longer any respect for humanitarian law' - Vatican News

24 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Holy See Secretary of State expresses concern about the “systematic violation of international law”, especially the bombing of civilians and the ...

24Mar

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24 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Stations of the Cross continues tonight at 7:45pm.

Register at bit.ly/stations25

22Mar

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22 Mar, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-03/netanyahu-difficulties-behind-the-return-of-war-in-gaza.html

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