Scotland’s Catholic Bishops Offer Prayers and Encouragement to MSPs

Scotland’s Catholic bishops have offered prayers and encouragement to all newly elected and re-elected Members of the Scottish Parliament, marking the beginning of a new term at Holyrood.

On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan said public service is a “noble calling” and urged MSPs to lead with integrity, protect human dignity and support the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

He also expressed hope that Scotland’s lawmakers will promote truth, justice and charity, defend fundamental freedoms and foster respectful dialogue in public life.

Full statement:

On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, I warmly congratulate all Members of the Scottish Parliament elected to serve our nation. Your role is a noble calling, entrusted with the responsibility to act with integrity, to value every human life, and to prioritise the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. I pray that your service will be rooted in humility and guided by a sincere desire to promote truth, justice, and charity for the common good of all. I hope that you will defend fundamental freedoms, foster respectful dialogue, and work for a Scotland where every person’s dignity is respected. Be assured of my prayers as you begin this important work for the people of Scotland. 

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland