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

Empty
Click + to add content

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

March 2025

10Mar

Those preparing to join the Catholic Church this year attended the Rite of Election in St Mirin's Cathedral on the First Sunday ...

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

Those preparing to join the Catholic Church this year attended the Rite of Election in St Mirin's Cathedral on the First Sunday of Lent.

A total of 28 people from 10 parishes were enrolled as catechumens and candidates before Bishop Keenan, who promised them the prayers of the faithful.

10Mar

Photos from Motherwell Diocese's post

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

10Mar

Photos from Archdiocese of Glasgow's post

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

10Mar

Timeline photos

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

A full house at St Mary's Cathedral for the Rite of Election where Catechumens and Candidates express their desire to become Catholic at Easter.

10Mar

Photos from RC Diocese of Galloway's post

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

10Mar

Saint John Ogilvie | Franciscan Media

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

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-john-ogilvie/
Feast of St John Ogilvie

A convert from Calvinism, Saint John Ogilvie joined the Jesuits and was ordained to the priesthood. Doing secret ministry in Scotland, John was arrested and tortured for a number of days before being martyred on March 10, 1615.

09Mar

Pope's health remains stable amid slight improvements - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-03/pope-francis-health-update-sunday-pneumonia.html

Pope Francis continues to gradually improve as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office ...

09Mar

Pope Francis resting following a calm night - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-03/pope-francis-resting-following-a-calm-night.html

Pope Francis continues to rest on Sunday morning, 9 March, following a peaceful night. The medical update yesterday evening reported that his clinical ...

09Mar

Lord's Day Reflection: Responding to temptation with prayer - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-03/lord-s-day-reflection-responding-to-temptation-with-prayer.html

As the Church celebrates the Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr Edmund Power reflects on the power of prayer in response to temptation.

08Mar

Pope: A loving society must free women from pressure to seek abortion - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-03/pope-francis-pilgrimage-italy-movement-life-abortion.html

Pope Francis sends a message to a pilgrimage of the Italian Movement for Life, and calls on Christians to take the side of unborn children, whom he ...