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

May 2025

21May

Pope Leo XIV appeals for Gaza: 'Allow aid to enter, end the hostilities' - Vatican News

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Leo XIV renews his appeal for dignified humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, calling for a cessation of hostilities whose 'price is paid by ...

21May

Pope Leo XIV to preside at Mass every Sunday in June - Vatican News

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to preside at a papal Mass every Sunday in June, and he will hold a Consistory of Cardinals to vote on several Causes of ...

21May

Fr. Romanelli: Pope Leo XIV gives us new encouragement to persevere - Vatican News

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest of the Holy Family Church, tells Vatican News about the tough humanitarian situation in Gaza, but also ...

21May

Remembering Francis, a Pope who led the Church to the peripheries - Vatican News

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

As the world marks 30 days since Pope Francis’ death, Cardinal John Ribat, MSC, from Papua New Guinea shares his memories of the late pontiff, who ...

21May

🗓️❗SAVE THE DATE - Dignity Not Detention Solidarity Gathering

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

🗓️❗SAVE THE DATE - Dignity Not Detention Solidarity Gathering

🔐The UK is the only country in Europe that locks people up in immigration detention centres without a time limit. Indefinite holding of human beings in prison-like conditions is inhumane and unjust.

📢Join us for our peace witness at Dungavel this June to advocate for respect for human dignity over unlimited detention. Featuring reflections led by Archbishop William Nolan, President of Justice & Peace Scotland.

⬇️All info below.

21May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

21May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

21 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

20May

Pope Leo XIV visits Tomb of St. Paul

20 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

20May

Congratulations to the eleven parishioners who were confirmed on Sunday in Holy Redeemer, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

20 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Congratulations to the eleven parishioners who were confirmed on Sunday in Holy Redeemer, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. The parish community is young and vibrant. How long it is since such a large number were confirmed in that part of the diocese is anyone’s guess! During my fortnight’s visitation I saw many other shoots of hope across the Hebrides. The Spirit is clearly at work and people are responding.
+Brian

19May

Photos from Holy Year Scotland 2025's post

19 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |