Justice and Peace Scotland is a commission of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland. We educate and campaign on issues related to international peace and non-violence, human rights, social justice and care for creation. Our work is carried out in accordance with gospel values and catholic social teaching.

No to Nuclear Weapons

The claim that possessing nuclear weapon provide a deterrent flies in the face of that fact their existence merely fuels an arms race.

That was the message spelled by Archbishop William Nolan at the No To Nuclear Weapons peace gathering at the South Gate of HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane on 2nd August. Organised by Justice & Peace Scotland it served as a commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which is estimated to have caused more than 210,000 deaths.  The event was led by Archbishop of Glasgow, also Bishop-President of Justice & Peace Scotland, Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church.

They were joined by representatives from the Quakers, the Iona Community, the United Reformed Church and 145 people of faith who stood in solidarity to renew a shared commitment to the common good and the flourishing of creation.

The group came together for prayer and reflection on the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons at a time when conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe rage and the threat posed by these soon-to-be upgraded and expanded stocks in the UK is greater than in recent memory. The current generation of such weapons – held by nine countries - understood to be 80 times more powerful than those dropped in Japan in 1945.

At the vigil, the Archbishop despaired at the narrative that surrounds the UK’s arsenal of weapons of mass destruction – citing the words of the late Pope Benedict. “A few years ago he pointed out that deterrents were only securing an arms’ race because every side was try to improve their nuclear arsenals, and updating them,” he said. “We see that happening here. The UK has been spending more and more money on nuclear weapons. Until just a few years ago the government had around 200 or so nuclear warheads and had a policy of reducing that number. And then in 2021 Boris Johnson declared that ‘no, from now on we are going to be increasing our number of warheads and from now on we won’t be telling anyone how many we possess’. 

“So this place here has been expanding, as has Coulport along the road, as we increase our nuclear weapons. We were told Trident was enough to ensure our security. But now we are told by the present Labour government    that not enough, we need another delivery system. So now billions of pounds are going to be spent buying aircraft so we can threaten other people with those warheads in a new way.  An arms race does not bring peace; deterrents do not bring peace. You do not achieve peace by threatening your neighbour. You only achieve peace by reconciliation.”

Located on the Gare Loch near Helensburgh, HM Naval Base Clyde is home to the Royal Navy's four Vanguard-class submarines – HMS Vanguard, Vengeance, Victorious and Vigilant – which each carry Trident 2 D5 nuclear missiles. Described as Britain's nuclear deterrent and ultimate defence, they can be fired at targets up to 4,000 miles away. The four Vanguard submarines are due to be replaced by the new Dreadnought-class submarines after 2030. The UK began developing a nuclear weapons programme at the end of the Second World War, held its first bomb test in 1952 and has operated continuous at sea deterrence since 1969.

Justice & Peace Scotland believe Christians are called to be peacemakers and to uphold the dignity of every human life. “Nuclear weapons are fundamentally incompatible with this call as their existence threatens indiscriminate destruction and a future built on fear and power-wielding rather than on fraternity amongst nations,” they said.
 

Press Release: Christians to gather for Faslane peace vigil to say no to nuclear weapons

Download press release (pdf) here

More than 100 people will gather outside HM Naval Base on the Clyde to make a fresh call for a world free of nuclear weapons.

The peace vigil at Faslane on Saturday 2 August is being led by representatives of Scotland’s three largest Christian Churches and other faith groups to mark the 80th anniversary of atomic bombs being dropped on Japan.

It is estimated that 140,000 people in Hiroshima were killed and at least 74,000 people died in Nagasaki in August 1945, leading to the Japanese government surrendering on 2 September of that year, ending the Second World War.

The No To Nuclear Weapons peace gathering at the South Gate of the naval base on Maidstone Road from 10.30am to 12pm is being organised by Justice & Peace Scotland.

Most Rev William Nolan, Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow and Bishop-President of Justice & Peace Scotland, Rt Rev Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, are leading the event.

They will be joined by representatives from the Quakers, the Iona Community, the United Reform Church and more than 100 people of faith who will stand in solidarity to renew a shared commitment to the common good and the flourishing of creation.

The group will come together for prayer and reflection on the immorality of possessing nuclear weapons at a time when conflicts in the Middle East and Eastern Europe rage and the threat posed by these soon-to-be upgraded and expanded stocks in the UK is greater than in recent memory.

The current generation of such warheads – held by nine nations – is understood to be 80 times more powerful than those dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Archbishop William Nolan said: “The phrase ‘never again’ gained much currency 80 years ago.

“But the actions of nuclear powers, including our own, run contrary to that. 

“As the late Pope Benedict articulated, the very concept of a nuclear deterrence has instead fuelled an arms race as those on opposing sides keep seeking to outdo the other. 

“We have seen this in the replacement for Trident. Deterrence itself, therefore, has increased insecurity and does nothing to build up trust which is necessary to encourage disarmament and build up peace.”

Located on the Gare Loch near Helensburgh, HM Naval Base Clyde is home to the Royal Navy's four Vanguard-class submarines – HMS Vanguard, Vengeance, Victorious and Vigilant – which each carry Trident 2 D5 nuclear missiles.

Described as Britain's nuclear deterrent and ultimate defence, they can be fired at targets up to 4,000 miles away.

Mrs Frew said: “On the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it seems right to stand with other Christians saying ‘No’ to nuclear weapons and ‘Yes’ to peace.

 “My hope and prayer is to live in a world without war or the threat of war, a world without the threat of the deployment of nuclear weapons.

 “I know opinion is very divided on holding nuclear weapons but I don’t believe anyone would ever wish them to be deployed, both those who will gather outside and those who serve in HM Naval Base Clyde.

 “The Church of Scotland stands in solidarity with all those who work at Faslane in the service of the United Kingdom, while praying for peace in a world where there is no threat of nuclear weapons ever being used.”

Justice & Peace Scotland say Christians are called to be peacemakers and to uphold the dignity of every human life: "Nuclear weapons are fundamentally incompatible with this call as their existence threatens indiscriminate destruction and a future built on fear and power-wielding rather than on fraternity amongst nations.”

No to Nuclear Weapons: Christian Peace Vigil at Faslane - Saturday 2nd August, 10.30am–12 noon | HM Naval Base Clyde, South Gate (Maidstone Road)

In the week marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Christians from across Scotland will gather at Faslane Naval Base for an ecumenical peace vigil to witness against the continued presence and threat of nuclear weapons.

Organised by Justice & Peace Scotland, this gathering will be a time of prayer, reflection, readings, and song led by senior Church leaders:
•    Most Rev. William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow and President of Justice & Peace Scotland
•    Rt Rev. Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
•    Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church

Members of the Iona Community will also join us as together we call for nuclear disarmament and peace. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and to uphold the dignity of every human life. Nuclear weapons are fundamentally incompatible with this call as their existence threatens indiscriminate destruction and a future built on fear and power-wielding rather than on fraternity amongst nations.

The vigil is an opportunity for Christians to stand in faith and solidarity on the site where the UK’s weapons of mass destruction are housed and to renew our shared commitment to the common good and the flourishing of creation.

Free Transport Available
A free Lothian Buses coach will depart from:
•    Edinburgh - Waterloo Place (beside Waverley Station), leaving at 7.45am
•    Glasgow - Gordon Street (outside Central Station), leaving at 9.15am
To secure a seat, please email: office@justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk

All are welcome. Help us spread the word by sharing with your family, friends and networks.
 

Dignity NOT Detention – Archbishop Nolan Calls for an Immigration System that Upholds the Dignity of All

On Sunday 15th June, Father’s Day, almost forty people braved the rain and joined our peaceful solidarity gathering outside Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre under the banner of Dignity Not Detention. Led by Archbishop William Nolan and joined by Justice & Peace Scotland members, supporters and long-time collaborators, we reflected emotively and prayerfully on the injustice of indefinite immigration detention in the UK.

The UK is the only country in Europe that detains people in prison-like conditions without a time limit. Some inside Dungavel are held indefinitely for something as minor as working more hours than allowed on a visa. For this, they are stripped of liberty, cut off from their communities, relationships, and families, with no idea when they will be released.

Archbishop Nolan reminded us yesterday that when someone goes through the criminal justice system and receives a prison sentence, they at least know how long they’ll be held. Those in immigration detention do not even have that information. He called for an immigration and asylum system that recognises the human dignity of all, that sees every person, citizen or not, as a brother or sister in Christ, and refuses to deprive someone of liberty simply because they are a foreigner.

On a day when so many were celebrating fatherhood, we held in our hearts the fathers behind the barbed wire of Dungavel and all those harmed by a system that values control over compassion.

For more information on immigration detention, including details on alternatives that are more humane and more cost effective, see the Detention Action website. For specific details, information and statistics on Scotland’s only detention centre, and on the work being done to influence policy and support those detained in Scotland, you can visit the website of Scottish Detainee Visitors.
 

Event: Dignity Not Detention – Dungavel – Sun 15th June, 1pm

Join Justice & Peace Scotland to call for "Dignity Not Detention" and advocate for an end to the inhumane practice of unlimited immigration detention. The UK is the only country in Europe that does not have a statutory time limit on detention, meaning people can be held in prison-like conditions indefinitely with no idea when they will be released.
Guest speaker: Archbishop William Nolan.
Dungavel House, Strathaven, ML10 6RF.
Contact office@justice@peacescotland.org.uk for more info.

Newsletter June - August 2025

Our newsletter for June to August 2025 is available now for you to read and share. You can access it by clicking here.
 
We hope you enjoy reading our latest update!

A Statement Issued By The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

	The Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem have released a statement on the Palm Sunday bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Baptist Hospital in Gaza. As we pray for all those suffering in the Holy Land with poignancy in this special time of Holy Week, read this powerful declaration in full below. Palm Sunday Statement
Image: Tomb of Jesus, Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Credit: Marcin Mazur, CBCEW

Pope Francis: War is absurd. Let's disarm the Earth

We today publish a letter the Pope sent to the Italian daily newspaper "Corriere della Sera" editor-in-chief Luciano Fontana that should serve as a clarion call for a global renunciation of armed conflict and militarism Pope Francis' Letter - War is absurd

Archbishop says foreign aid cuts “shame” UK government

The UK government should “bow their heads in shame” over the cuts in the country’s overseas aid budget believes Archbishop Nolan.
The recently announced 40% reduction in the spend by Prime Minister Keir Starmer will leave the aid budget at 3% of gross national income - its lowest level this millennium.  Not even half the 0.7% figure recommended by the UN that, in opposition, the Labour leader said his party would seek to restore.  
And the Archbishop, President  of Justice & Peace Scotland, rejects out of hand the Prime Minster justification for this cut, said to be taken to increase defence spending to bolster peace-keeping capabilities.
The UK foreign aid cut comes at a particularly cruel moment with the US having terminated 83% of its foreign aid programmes, in moves that will have catastrophic consequences for the very survival of millions among the world’s poorest peoples.   
“I am incredulous that foreign aid should be cut and that the poor should be asked to pay the price for increased military spending,” said Archbishop Nolan. “The way to peace is not for conflicting sides to be armed to the teeth but to seek reconciliation with their enemies.
“The foreign aid budget itself promotes peace by helping to relieve poverty and stimulate development, thus eradicating some of the underlying causes that can lead to conflict in various parts of the world. The UK government should bow its head in shame at abandoning so many who till now have looked to the UK for help.”
 

Newsletter March 2025 - May 2025

Our first newsletter of 2025 is available now for you to read and share. It includes a special feature on our Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer Anne-Marie's recent visit to Jerusalem with the Holy Land Co-ordination. You can access it by clicking here.
 
We are relying on your support in two important advocacy actions in this edition: the Scotland United for Climate Action campaign calls on the Scottish Government to get the country's climate targets back on track, and the Turn Debt Into Hope campaign provides a concrete way for all Catholics to be Pilgrims of Hope this Jubilee Year. Will you sign both petitions?
 
We hope you enjoy reading our latest update!

DAY OF PRAYER FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE 2025

Justice & Peace Sunday 2025 is celebrated in Scotland this year on 5th January, the Feast of the Epiphany. Archbishop Nolan, President of Justice & Peace Scotland has recorded his annual reflection, this year on the topics of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace which you can watch below. You can also download a copy of the letter here. 

Share the Archbishop's message and listen out for it being read at Sunday masses across the weekend of 4th and 5th of January.

Thank you for your continued support of Justice & Peace Scotland. If you would like to know more about what we do or get involved, please get in touch - we would love to hear from you!

MSPs URGED NOT TO PENALISE VULNERABLE GROUPS FOR POLITICAL GAIN

The Church of Scotland and the Scottish Catholic Church have urged MSPs to resist pitting vulnerable groups in our society against one another and recommit to providing free bus travel for asylum seekers.

Ahead of a debate on the budget in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday, both are concerned that there are attempts once again to renege on commitments made to people seeking asylum, and that these are coming in the name of older people due to Winter Fuel Payment means testing.
 
Scotland has a population of 5.5 million and a budget of almost £64 billion for 2025-26 and parliamentarians must work together for the greater good to ensure marginalised groups are not unfairly disadvantaged.  

The Church of Scotland and Justice & Peace Scotland (Scottish Catholic Justice and Peace Commission) are well aware of the increasing financial pressures facing older people as both churches support thousands of older people in their communities, both pastorally and materially.

At the same time, congregations are welcoming New Scots, supporting with basic needs, English language classes, and providing spaces to belong. 

Our refugee members have informed us just how valuable a policy of free bus travel would be. 

Emma Jackson, Convener of the Public Life and Social Justice Group of the Church of Scotland said: “I would really urge all our politicians to use language which upholds human rights and human dignity for everyone in our society.

“The racist violence and riots we saw over the summer pitted communities against one another.

“While our political leaders may robustly disagree about particular policies, we look to them to use language that is anchored in dignity, respect and compassion for everyone.”

The Church of Scotland and Catholic Church are committed to standing in solidarity with every member of our communities, of all ages and backgrounds. 

We call on MSPs to resist attempts to divide our society, and instead show support to people who have come to Scotland seeking sanctuary and new beginnings.

Jill Kent, Chairperson of Justice & Peace Scotland said: “As we strive to realise social justice for all in our society, Justice & Peace Scotland remind everyone of Christ’s teaching to welcome the stranger and to love our neighbour as ourselves. 

“This is particularly relevant as we approach the season of Christmas: The Holy Family were themselves once refugees and the encouragement and solidarity we can show in our political debates to those who find themselves on the margins is as important as ever.

“In this season of goodwill to all people I hope that all these discussions will be characterised in a spirit of kindness and generosity.”

Asylum seekers are not permitted to work while their claims are being assessed and are often living on as little as £8.86 per week, meaning public transport is completely unaffordable. 

A day ticket in Glasgow costs £5.60, more than half of people seeking asylum’s weekly allowance. 

Access to free bus travel would be positively life-changing and mentally transformative for those otherwise stuck in an inadequate and slow asylum system. 

It would allow people to access worshiping spaces, make important appointments, attend languages classes and stay connected with friends. 

In October 2023 the Scottish Parliament debated this policy and supportive statements were made by all parties in the parliament. 

This led to the announcement at the December 2023 budget that the Scottish Parliament would be dedicating £2 million towards a pilot.

A small sum in the larger budget, but hugely encouraging for the people who would benefit from it. 

In August 2024 the Scottish Government announced that they would be scrapping the pilot scheme. 

This came as a huge shock as the pilot was included in the government’s own refugee strategy, and was especially upsetting coming just weeks after the appalling far-right riots we saw break out across England and Northern Ireland. 

In October 2024 the Scottish Parliament debated the issue once again and overwhelmingly supported the policy.

BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF SCOTLAND STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT ENDING THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP, 10th DECEMBER, 2024

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government’s vow to lift the two-child benefit cap, which could potentially result in benefits being paid out to families of 15,000 children. The bishops look forward to seeing more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to lift the cap and hope that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families to receive support they so badly need.

CATHOLIC BISHOPS SEEK CLARITY FROM SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT AS THEY BACK PLANS TO END TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have encouraged the Scottish Government to provide “more detail” over the promise announced in last week’s budget to end the two-child benefit cap in Scotland.

In a statement, the Catholic bishops “welcomed” the plans to mitigate the two-child benefit cap, which are expected to impact on the benefits available for more than 15,000 children currently in poverty in the nation, and stated their hope “that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families to receive support they so badly need”. 

The two-child benefit cap is a UK wide policy introduced by the Conservative government in  2017, and has been retained by the current Labour government since they came to power in the summer. In all but exceptional cases, the cap equates to a limit that denies families universal credit support for third and subsequent children, worth up to £3455 a year for each child. It is recognised as the biggest driver of child poverty across the UK, with 1.6m children already affected by the limit, and this figure tracked to rise in the next three years.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said last week it was the Scottish Government’s intention for payments to start to be made to families of three or more children in receipt of universal credit by April 2026 – a month before the next Holyrood election.  Scotland’s bishops have long been opposed to the cap which unfairly targets families across the country who are most in need. In their statement, the bishops emphasise the need for action to remove the cap in Scotland at the earliest opportunity.

BISHOPS RELEASE STATEMENT ON FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION AND JUST TRANSITION

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) have released a statement encouraging world leaders to agree to and establish a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, committing all nations to a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. The statement, which is released to mark the COP29 climate summit taking place in Azerbaijain from 11th – 22nd November, calls on Scotland to play its role in realising the common good by participating in a swift transition away from fossil fuels to protect people and our planet, both now and in the future, from further global warming caused by fossil fuel extraction. Crucially, in recognising the workers and communities in Scotland who rely on fossil fuel industries for their livelihood, the statement emphasises that any such transition must have justice at its core and ensure that no one is left behind, particularly those currently employed in this sector who must be ensured secure work in the move towards renewables. The full text of the statement can be downloaded here.
 
Justice & Peace Scotland encourage supporters to share the statement widely, particularly with MPs and MSPs encouraging the UK and Scottish governments to commit to fossil fuel non-proliferation and to ensure that no worker is left behind in their plans to meet climate targets. To find out more about the global movement for fossil-fuel non-proliferation and how you can support it, visit: www.fossilfueltreaty.org.

Event: Together For Sanctuary – Immaculate Conception, Maryhill – Thurs 19th June, 7pm

Justice & Peace Scotland invite you to Together for Sanctuary, a special ecumenical Christian worship service held as part of Refugee Festival Scotland. Organised in partnership with SFAR (Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees), this gathering will bring together people of all backgrounds to stand in solidarity with those who seek sanctuary for a time of prayer, worship, music and reflection and will include speakers with lived experience of seeking safety and welcome. Join us on Thurs 19th June, Immaculate Conception Church, 2049 Maryhill Road, Glasgow G20 0AA, at 7pm.