As the Scottish Government prepares to publish its Programme for Government, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has called for human dignity and the common good to be placed at the heart of its priorities.

In a statement, Bishop Keenan urges the Government to judge its policies particularly by their impact on the poorest and most vulnerable. He said: “Public policy should be judged by how it protects the weakest, supports families, strengthens communities and enables every person to flourish.”

Bishop Keenan calls for a consistent commitment to protecting human life from conception until natural death, alongside decisive action on poverty, homelessness, addiction, mental ill-health, social isolation and palliative care.

The statement also highlights the importance of strengthening families and communities, improving health and social care, supporting migrants and refugees, protecting freedom of conscience and religion, supporting Catholic schools and caring for creation.

Bishop Keenan added: “Human dignity is not granted by the state, nor earned by wealth, health, productivity, age, ability or social status. It belongs to every person.”
The Bishop concludes by assuring the Scottish Government and all elected representatives of the prayers of Scotland’s Catholic bishops, asking that the Programme for Government “honour human dignity, strengthen the common good and give renewed hope to those who need it most.”