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The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

17th February 2026


17 February 2026

SCES supports the Bill’s stated aim of ensuring compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), and welcomes efforts to strengthen children’s rights in Scottish law. In particular, SCES supports proposed amendments which introduce clearer age-related guidance on maturity and decision-making, helping to determine when a young person can make an informed decision about Religious Education or Religious Observance.

However, SCES has raised serious concerns that a number of other amendments extend the Bill beyond its original purpose and could have unintended consequences for Scotland’s denominational schools. SCES warns that proposals to replace the long-standing legal term “Religious Instruction” with “Religious Education” could narrow interpretation towards a purely academic curriculum model, potentially limiting the ability of denominational schools to deliver faith-based education consistent with their protected religious ethos.

SCES has also expressed concern about proposals that would allow young people to withdraw independently from Religious Observance, without the same level of parental involvement currently required. While such changes are often justified by reference to Article 14 of the UNCRC, SCES notes that Article 14 must be read in full, as it also affirms the rights and duties of parents to guide children in matters of religion, in accordance with the child’s evolving capacities.

While welcoming the opportunity to contribute to statutory guidance, SCES has highlighted major concerns regarding proposed new reporting and information requirements. SCES believes these measures would impose disproportionate administrative burdens on schools and local authorities, duplicate existing inspection arrangements, and introduce unclear criteria requiring Religious Observance to be assessed as “objective, critical and pluralistic” and “inclusive”, without clear definitions or clarity on who would judge compliance.

SCES welcomes proposals intended to safeguard the existing legal protections of denominational schools, and stresses that Scotland’s denominational education system has long held a legitimate and protected place within the wider educational framework.

SCES urges Parliament to ensure that UNCRC compliance is achieved in a way that respects children’s rights, the role of parents and families, and the distinctive character and legal status of denominational schools in Scotland. SCES is grateful for the constructive communication with the Scottish Government throughout this process, and welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively on the development of future statutory guidance.

ENDS

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.

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Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. 

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

May 2024
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-june-intention-for-those-fleeing-their-own-countries.html


Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of June 2024, and invites everyone to pray for people who flee their home countries.

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‘We all have a duty to move always towards the truth, to respect it and bear responsible witness to it’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2467)

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Rinunce e nomine, 27.05.2024

Nomina del Vescovo di Dunkeld (Scozia) del Vescovo di Dunkeld (Scozia)

Il Santo Padre ha nominato Vescovo della Diocesi di Dunkeld (Scozia) il Rev.do Andrew McKenzie del clero di Glasgow, finora Canonico e Amministratore della Cattedrale Arcidiocesana di St. Andrew di Glasgow.

Curriculum vitae

S.E. Mons. Andrew McKenzie è nato il 14 ottobre 1964 a Glasgow. Ha svolto gli studi in preparazione al sacerdozio presso il St. Peter’s College a Newlands e il Chesters College a Bearsden.

È stato ordinato sacerdote per l’Arcidiocesi di Glasgow il 31 ottobre 1988.

Ha ricoperto i seguenti incarichi e svolto ulteriori studi: Master in Liturgia presso la St. John’s University di Collegeville, USA (1996-1998); Formatore in Seminario presso lo Scotus College (1999-2005); Promotore delle Vocazioni (2005-2013); Direttore di Priests for Scotland (2005-2013); Parroco di St. Joseph a Tollcross (2013-2022); dal 2022, Canonico e Amministratore della Cattedrale Arcidiocesana di St. Andrew di Glasgow.



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Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

27th May 2024

At 12 noon today (27th May 2024) in Rome (11am GMT) it was announced, that Pope Francis had nominated Fr. Andrew McKenzie as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. Following the sad passing of Bishop-elect Martin Chambers he will succeed Bishop Stephen Robson who was Bishop of Dunkeld from 2013 to 2022 when he retired on health grounds, since when it has been administered by Canon Kevin Golden.

Reacting to his appointment, Fr. Andrew said:

“I am humbled by the trust that Pope Francis has placed in me by inviting me to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. With faith in God’s guidance, and with some nervousness, I accepted his invitation.

I look forward to getting to know the priests and people of the diocese and to joining them in the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I take courage in the understanding that I will not be working alone, for each of us has a role to play in the work of evangelisation.

I have good memories of the diocese from a previous role as Director of Priests for Scotland when I was a regular visitor to Dundee at the invitation of Bishop Vincent Logan. I look forward to reconnecting with people and places.

I know that this has been a difficult time for the Diocese of Dunkeld with the unexpected death of Bishop Elect Martin Chambers. We remember him and continue to pray for his eternal rest.”

Responding to the news Diocesan Administrator Fr. Kevin Golden said:

The Diocese of Dunkeld joyfully receives the news of Fr. Andrew McKenzie being nominated as the Bishop of Dunkeld by our Holy Father Pope Francis. The priests, deacons, religious and lay people of Dunkeld look forward to welcoming him and the leadership he will exercise as our Shepherd. We ask of the Lord many blessings for him, and we shall keep him in our prayers each day.

Welcoming the appointment of Fr. McKenzie, the administrator of his Cathedral, Archbishop Nolan of Glasgow said:

May I congratulate Fr Andrew McKenzie on his appointment as Bishop and may I also congratulate Dunkeld Diocese who now acquires a fine priest as their leader and guide. In his 36 years of priestly service the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the wider Church in Scotland have benefited from his talent, his commitment, his perseverance, and the high standards he has set in a variety of ministries. He has shown care for parishioners and care for his fellow priests, with a devotion also to the worthy celebration of liturgy and the praise and worship of God.

Born 15th October 1964 in Glasgow. Educated at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School (1969 – 1976); Lourdes Secondary (1976–1982); St. Peter’s College Newlands (1982-1985); Chesters College Bearsden (1985-1988).

Ordained Priest Our Lady of Lourdes 31st October 1988

Appointed assistant priest St. Michael’s Dumbarton and school chaplain to Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School (1988-1994); Appointed assistant priest Holy Cross Croy and school chaplain to St. Ninian’s High School Kirkintilloch and to St Maurice’s High School Cumbernauld. (1994-1998)

Further study, MA Liturgical Studies St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA (1996-1998)

Appointed assistant priest St. Andrew’s Cathedral (1998-1999)

Appointed to the seminary staff of Scotus College (1999-2004); Visiting lecturer (2004 -2009); Director of Priests for Scotland (2004-2012).

Appointed Parish Priest St. Joseph’s Tollcross (2012-2022) and Administrator St. Joachim’s Carmyle (2013-2022); Administrator of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Glasgow (2022 – present day).

Chair of the Council of Priests (2019-2021)

Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies (2012-present day)



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Lord Jesus, we give you thanks, for you showed us how to live

#MissiosMondayPrayer

Archdiocese of Glasgow Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Diocese of Paisley Motherwell Diocese RC Ayr Galloway Diocese RC Diocese of Aberdeen Bishop John Keenan School of Education Spiritual and Pastoral Formation Justice and Peace Scotland The Scottish Catholic Sancta Familia Being Catholic Mill Hill Missionaries Scotland The Spiritans, Carfin St Patrick's Missionary Society Scotland Sisters of St. Peter Claver Scottish Catholic Education Service St. Andrew's Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education AGAP - Archdiocese of Glasgow Arts Project RE Department Archdiocese of Glasgow RE Department Diocese of Motherwell Catholic Rough Bounds Catholic Parliamentary Office for Scotland Padre Pio Events Scotland

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Pope Francis formally recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian teenager whose birth in 1991 will make him the first "millennial" to become a saint.

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At a ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica on Ascension Thursday, Pope Francis solemnly proclaims the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025, consigning the Bull of ...

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