The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Holy Mass of Thanksgiving on the Retirement of Mrs Caroline Docherty | 19 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Gospel
Matthew 6:19-23
‘Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
‘The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!’

'The wonder of the child in the womb'

Bishop John Sherrington explains the theme for this year's Day for Life.

#DayforLife #children #womb #wonder #woman #life #precious

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Eleventh Week of Ordinary Time | 18 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

In recent weeks, discussions about our diocesan structures have taken place among the clergy, religious and lay faithful in all of Scotland's eight dioceses. Following these local consultations, the bishops devoted significant time at the recent Bishops’ Conference meeting to prayerfully reflecting on the contents of these reports. The Conversation in the Spirit prayer method has proved particularly fruitful in providing rich insight and direction at this stage of our discernment.

What emerged from local reports were encouraging areas of convergence. There is a clear desire to see this process as more than a consideration of administrative structures alone. Rather, it presents an important opportunity to reflect afresh on our mission and vision as the Church in Scotland and on how we can best proclaim the Gospel in our time.

The bishops recognised a strong appreciation for greater collaboration across dioceses, including the sharing of curial resources and expertise, enabling us to support one another more effectively. We also acknowledge strong local identities which are tied to each diocesan community.

Above all, there was a shared conviction that this moment can help renew our commitment to evangelisation and to the Church’s mission of bringing the hope of the Gospel to every corner of our nation.

We thank all those who contributed their voices to this important consultation and for generously sharing feedback as the fruit of sincere Spirit-led prayer.

As bishops, we will continue our reflections in the months ahead, and look forward to hearing further views from all those involved, as we evaluate concrete options to present to the Holy See towards the end of the year. In harmony with the hopes of the Holy See, we look forward to continuing this process as a synodal journey with the active participation of clergy and faithful.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to listen attentively to God’s will and to each other as we move forward together with faith, hope and confidence.

Bishop John Keenan
President, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland