“The Parliamentary Officer of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Mr John Deighan enjoys the full support of the Conference to whom he continues to provide an informed and valuable service. This work together with the efforts of individual bishops has ensured that relations with the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Parliament remain constructive and cordial. While differences exist between Scotland’s Catholic bishops and the Scottish Executive on a number of policy areas it is the intention of the Bishops’ Conference to maintain a position of constructive engagement with Scotland’s political institutions at every level.

Ultimately, the Bishops’ Conference assesses each policy proposal on its merits and its conformity with the teaching of the Church on social and ethical matters of national importance. This involves discussion informed by a wide range of experts including our Parliamentary Officer, following which a collective response is approved which becomes the agreed position of the Conference.”