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The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

24th February 2026


24 February 2026

Statement on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

The Bishops thank the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) and the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office (SCPO) for the considerable work undertaken to present the Church’s strongly held views on this issue.

We recognise a number of important protections which have been secured. Religious Education remains a central part of the curriculum and will continue to be an entitlement for all pupils. In Catholic schools, Religious Education will remain within the authority of the Bishops’ Conference. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the intrinsic nature of Religious Education and Religious Observance in Catholic schools and, despite these being de-coupled in law, has committed to respecting and continuing both. The Government has also committed to involving SCES in drafting the statutory guidance. Furthermore, the retention of the term “Religious Instruction” in law ensures that the Religious Character of Catholic schools is not reduced solely to classroom learning.


However, we are deeply concerned by the decision to grant Scottish Ministers the power to introduce regulations that would permit young people to withdraw from religious observance without parental involvement. Article 14 of the UNCRC is often quoted selectively, overlooking its clear emphasis on the essential role of parents in a child’s religious upbringing. This narrative risks creating a false divide between children’s rights and parental responsibilities. Any future legislation must uphold the UNCRC’s intention to support families, not diminish their role.

We remain deeply concerned at the official policy of the Scottish Greens to impose a fully secular model of state education – an approach that would strip away Scotland’s denominational schools entirely.
We will work firmly and constructively with the Scottish Government to ensure that Catholic schools continue to be protected in law and safeguarded for the communities they serve.


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

July 2025



In a world shadowed by unrest, violence, and disregard for the sanctity of life—whether in the womb, in illness, or in times of war—we stand united as beacons of light and hope. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we come together to proclaim a powerful truth: life is sacred, and love will prevail.

With hearts full of faith, we echo the beautiful words of Scripture: "Think of the love the Father has lavished on us by letting us be called His children—and that is what we are!" As beloved children of God, we turn to Mary, the Blessed Virgin—Mother of our Saviour and Mother of the Church—asking for her tender intercession.

Join us at Maidens Beach, Girvan, Ayrshire at 1pm on Saturday, 2nd August 2025 as we pray the Holy Rosary together. We gather to uplift the dignity of every human life and to pray for lasting peace in our world.

Let this be a moment of grace, unity, and joy. Come with hope. Come with love. Let us be a radiant witness to the truth that every life matters and that God’s love conquers all.

All are welcome—please come and be part of this powerful prayer for life and peace.
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Our representatives from Motherwell Diocese who led the Eucharistic procession
Diocese of Motherwell Youth
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It was great to see parishioner Diyon Fernando lead the Rosary Procession last night whilst representing the Archdiocese of Glasgow.
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-07/archbishop-caccia-addresses-un-on-sdg-3-and-5.html


The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, calls for nations to implement policies that support and protect ...
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❗Archbishop Nolan, President of Justice & Peace Scotland, has joined with the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to issue a joint statement expressing their sorrow at the loss of life after a missile struck the Holy Family Parish Church in Gaza.

Three people are reported to have died and several others, including Fr Gabriel Romanelli, were injured when the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic Church in Gaza, was struck by the Israeli military today.

Fr Gabiel’s 2024 visit to Glasgow was marked by the joint signing of the declaration “From Glasgow to Gaza: A Cry for Peace in the Holy Land” by the Archbishop and the then Moderator, Very Rev. Sally Foster-Fulton. Today’s joint statement, issued by Rt Rev Rosie Frew and Most Rev William Nolan, echoes the declaration and says:

"We join today to express our profound sorrow at the loss of life and the injuries sustained following a missile strike on the Holy Family Parish Church in Gaza. Further, we echo the words of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in his call for a ceasefire, and his 'profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation, and enduring peace in the region."

"We recall the visit to Glasgow by Fr Gabriel Romanelli, priest of the Holy Family Parish, in April 2024 and the Declaration: "From Glasgow to Gaza: A Cry for Peace in the Holy Land" signed on that occasion.

"The Declaration concluded: 'Today we cry out to all people in positions of power to end this senseless violence. We pray to Almighty God that their hearts may be turned towards compassion, and that they may have the courage and wisdom to pursue the path of justice and peace for all who call the Holy Land home'.

"We reflect on the continued relevance of these words and we renew the call for a permanent ceasefire and the pursuit of "the path of justice and peace".

+Most Rev William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow and President of Justice & Peace Scotland
Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/pope-leo-xiv-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-phone-call.html


In the wake of the Israeli strike on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, Pope Leo XIV and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak by ...
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#BreakingNews Pope Leo XIV Calls for an "Immediate Ceasefire" after Israel Hits Gaza's Catholic Church Leaving 2 Dead and Injuring the Priest - SEE LINK
https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2025/07/breakingnews-pope-leo-xiv-calls-for.html
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