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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Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

July 2025

28Jul

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28 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/pope-leo-xiv-message-environment-clameurs-rally-in-jambville.html

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28Jul

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28 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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.

28Jul

New attack on West Bank Christian village of Taibeh - Vatican News

28 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Christian village of Taibeh in the West Bank was once again targeted by extremist Israeli settlers in a nighttime attack, despite recent ...

27Jul

Pope Leo: ‘Grandparents and elderly are witnesses of hope’ - Vatican News

27 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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.

27Jul

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27 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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27Jul

This Monday, we invite you to join us for a Day of Prayer for Peace in Gaza

27 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This Monday, we invite you to join us for a Day of Prayer for Peace in Gaza.

In these times, we turn to the Our Lady Queen of Peace. The church will remain open for Adoration from 1.00pm to 7.00pm. A quiet space to pray, reflect, and hold the people of Gaza in our hearts.

▪️ At 7.00pm, we will pray the Holy Rosary together for peace.

▪️ At 7.30pm, our Medjugorje Mass will be offered especially for peace in Gaza.

Please do come along and join us for this day of prayer.

27Jul

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27 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

26Jul

Saints Joachim and Anne | Franciscan Media

26 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.facebook.com
Pray for your grandparents 🙏🙏

We believe that Jesus is truly God and truly human, and this feast of his grandparents is a testimony to that faith. While the names Joachim and Anne may be legendary, we know that Jesus had grandparents in the parents of Mary (as well as those of Saint Joseph). Our God truly became human and lived....

25Jul

Photos from Music at St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh's post

25 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AnwAWmfQ4/?mibextid=wwXIfr

25Jul

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25 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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