Scotland’s Bishops meet First Minister at Bute House

All eight of Scotland’s Catholic bishops met First Minister, John Swinney, at Bute House on Wednesday.

The meeting is thought to be the first time all of Scotland’s Catholic bishops have been invited to the First Minister’s official residence.

Following some warm words of welcome from the First Minister Bishop Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference, thanked Mr Swinney for his kind invitation to the bishops and for his generous hospitality.

The bishops and the First Minister discussed a range of important issues, including education, poverty, pro-life issues, assisted suicide, freedom of religion, and the Scottish Government’s commitment to ‘loss and damage’ and helping communities particularly vulnerable to climate change. The work of various Bishops’ Conference agencies including SCIAF and the Scottish Catholic Education Service was also discussed.

Bishop Keenan said that, “The Bishops appreciated the First Minister’s initiative to meet us as part of his concern to engage with the broad spectrum of voices that make up Scottish society, not least the voice of faith and belief.  The meeting allowed us a personal dialogue,  sharing our mutual interest that Scottish citizens contribute personally to  Scotland’s rich heritage of common good, and for respectful spaces in which people of faith are welcomed positively.  We look forward to building on this hopeful engagement.”