Image: scottishparliament.tv

Bishop Frank Dougan Reflects on Human Dignity at Scottish Parliament

On 3rd December 2024, Rt Rev Frank Dougan, the Bishop of Galloway, addressed the Scottish Parliament during Time for Reflection.

“This isn’t my first debating chamber,” noted Bishop Dougan, saying that he once was a Convener of Debates at Glasgow University Union (GUU). He compared the adversarial nature of traditional debate chambers – those in the GUU and the House of Commons – with the design of the Scottish Parliament that was created to encourage consensus.

“Would it be unkind of me to ask how that’s going?” he asked with a smile.

The heart of his speech focused on the source of true dignity and respect. Bishop Dougan challenged the idea that respect must be earned, saying, “Respect is not something that needs to be earned; it is something that everyone is owed because of their innate dignity as a human being.”

For Christians, explained Bishop Dougan, the belief is rooted in the idea that all humans are created in the image of God. He then shared a striking quote that sums up the way people should welcome God: “Receive him with open, outstretched hands, for it was on his own hands that he sketched you.  Receive him who laid your foundations on the palms of his hands.”

This, he said, “is why every person’s worth is sacred and unchangeable, no matter the circumstances.”

Ending on a unifying note, Bishop Dougan reminded the assembly that how we treat one another depends not on the design of the room or how the seats are arranged, but on a shared understanding of human value.

Video: scottishparliament.tv