By SCMO in News Releases, Blogging | 5 days ago
21 November 2023
Members of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland will visit Westminster this week on Wednesday 22 November where they will join the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, in a joint pilgrimage. The Church leaders will meet Scottish MP’s attend Prime Minister’s Questions as well as a reception in the House of Lords, which will focus on International Aid to South Sudan.
Archbishop Leo Cushley of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the UK Government and our Westminster MPs to discuss matters that are important to Christians and people of Faith in Scotland, but in a UK-wide context."A personal encounter is the best way to strengthen relationships with our elected representatives and I am grateful for this opportunity."I'm especially pleased to do this in the company of Rt Rev Sally Foster Fulton and our friends from the Church of Scotland, particularly in light of the Declaration of Friendship that we signed with them last year."
Director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office, Anthony Horan said:“This visit presents a fantastic opportunity for the bishops of Scotland to meet MPs representing Scottish constituencies, to strengthen relationships and discuss important issues. I am delighted that the bishops will be joined by the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for much of Wednesday’s programme and that they will lead the celebration of Mass in the beautiful chapel of St Mary-Undercroft.”
ENDS
Peter Kearney MA (Hons)
Director
Catholic Media Office
0141 221 1168
07968 122291
pk@scmo.org
www.scmo.org
Notes to Editors:
Bishops’ Conference of Scotland delegation will be in Westminster on Wednesday 22 November 2023.
Archbishop Leo Cushley Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Archbishop William Nolan Archbishop of Glasgow, Bishop John Keenan Bishop of PaisleyAnd Bishop Joseph Toal Bishop of Motherwell ...
By SCMO in News Releases, Blogging | 16th November 2023
Bishops call on Scottish Government to recognise place of Catholic schools
The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have called on the Scottish Government to recognise the place of Catholic Schools in Scotland by ammending the latest guidance document on the Delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education. In a statement, the Bishops' Conference said:
"The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is both disappointed and confused at the decision by the Scottish Government to delete all reference to Catholic schools in its: Guidance on the Delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Scottish Schools” document. We strongly request the re-insertion of the paragraphs relating to Denominational Education from the previous iteration of the guidance, which would reflect both the legal protection for schools with a Religious Character, and the previously supportive position of Scottish Government for Catholic schools.”
A consultation on the document will run until 23 November 2023. The Scottish Catholic Education Service has asked schools and parents to participate in the consultation and provided a breifing on the matter which can be viewed here:
https://sces.org.uk/relationships-sexual-health-and-parenting-respond-to-scottish-government-consultation-by-23rd-november/
ENDS...
By SCMO in News Releases, Blogging | 13th November 2023
Bishops urge party leaders to back peace calls
Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have written to the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak and the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer urging them to support Pope Francis’ call for a Middle East ceasefire.
The text of the letter is shown below:
9 November 2023
Dear Prime Minister,
As Scotland’s Catholic Bishops, we are writing to you on the situation in the Holy Land. Together with Pope Francis, we pray for an end to the conflict and continue to be shocked at the horrific loss of life and appalled at the humanitarian catastrophe which is unfolding before us. We urge you to take to heart the words of Pope Francis at his Angelus message in Rome on 5 November: “I implore you to stop, in the name of God,” he said, adding: “Cease fire!”
Clearly, the violence must stop immediately giving space for all parties to engage in dialogue with the fundamental aim of a determined and lasting peace. The Catholic Bishops of Scotland are urging all UK political leaders to come together and call for an immediate ceasefire, while supporting the provision of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
We share the hope of Pope Francis, that all avenues will be pursued so that an escalation of the conflict can be absolutely avoided, that the wounded can be rescued and that the hostages can be freed immediately. We pray that civilians and non-combatants will be respected and that a path to peace can be found. We urge you to accept the need to end all violence ahead of all other considerations and join with the Pope in his call for a ceasefire.
Yours sincerely
Bishop Hugh Gilbert
President
Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
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By SCMO in News Releases, Blogging | 26th October 2023
Catholic Bishops send message to First Minister
26 October 2023
Scotland's Catholic Bishops have today (26 October 2023) sent a message of support to Scotland's First Minister, promising to pray for the safety of his family in Gaza.
The text of the message is shown below:
Dear First Minister
We have been shocked and horrified by the recent violence in the Holy Land and our hearts go out to the innocent victims, as we pray fervently for a peaceful, and swift, end to hostilities.
We would like to express our heartfelt wishes for the safety and wellbeing of your own family in Gaza. We will keep them, and you, in our prayers.
Yours sincerely
The Catholic Bishops of Scotland
ENDS
Peter Kearney MA (Hons)Director Catholic Media Office0141 221 116807968 122291 pk@scmo.org www.scmo.org
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