The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The Roman Catholic Bishops in Scotland work together to undertake nationwide initiatives through their Commissions and Agencies.

The members of the Bishops' Conference are the Bishops of the eight Scottish Dioceses. Where appropriate the Bishops Emeriti (retired) provide a much welcomed contribution to the work of the conference. The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is a permanently constituted assembly which meets regularly throughout the year to address relevant business matters.

Members of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

30th July 2026

30 July 2026

Bishop Welcomes Prime Minister’s Call to Prioritise Care Reforms Before Westminster Assisted Suicide Vote

Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop with responsibility for Marriage, Family and Life for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for the serious gaps in palliative and social care to be addressed before the Westminster Parliament considers assisted suicide legislation.

Bishop Keenan said:

“The Prime Minister’s intervention is both timely and welcome. We have a duty to ensure that every person approaching the end of life has access to the compassionate palliative and social care they deserve. No one should ever feel driven towards assisted suicide because they lack the care, support or dignity they need.

“We were grateful that the Scottish Parliament resolutely rejected assisted suicide only recently. We hope this latest intervention will encourage Members of the Westminster Parliament to reflect carefully before taking a step that would fundamentally change the way our society cares for the sick and vulnerable.

“As our Catholic Parliamentary Officer, Anthony Horan, has rightly said: ‘The last thing the country needs is another divisive debate about assisted suicide. We need to make progress in improving palliative and social care, not offering vulnerable people state support to end their lives.’ I share that conviction wholeheartedly.

“This is an opportunity to rethink the whole approach to assisted suicide. The compassionate response to suffering is never to help people end their lives, but to ensure they receive the high-quality care, love and accompaniment they need. Let us pray for all who are seriously ill, for their families and carers, and for those in public office, that they may always uphold the dignity of every human life and work to build a society that truly cares for its most vulnerable members.”

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

August 2026

06Aug

The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord became widespread in the West in the 11th century and was introduced into the Roman...

06 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord became widespread in the West in the 11th century and was introduced into the Roman calendar in 1457 to commemorate the victory over Islam in Belgrade. Before that, the Transfiguration of the Lord was celebrated in the Syrian, Byzantine, and Coptic rites. The Transfiguration foretells the glory of the Lord as God, and His Ascension into heaven. It anticipates the glory of heaven, where we shall see God face to face. Through grace, we already share in the divine promise of eternal life.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, #554:
From the day Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Master "began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things. . . and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Peter scorns this prediction, nor do the others understand it any better than he. In this context the mysterious episode of Jesus' Transfiguration takes place on a high mountain, before three witnesses chosen by himself: Peter, James and John. Jesus' face and clothes become dazzling with light, and Moses and Elijah appear, speaking "of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem". A cloud covers him and a voice from heaven says: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!"

06Aug

Holy Mass of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord | 06 August 2026

06 Aug, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord | 06 August 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

06Aug

Gospel

06 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 17:1-9
‘His face shone like the sun.’

At that time: Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.’ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Rise, and have no fear.’ And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, but Jesus only. And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, ‘Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.’

05Aug

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time | 05 August 2026

05 Aug, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week of Ordinary Time | 05 August 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

05Aug

Gospel

05 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 15:21-28
‘O woman, great is your faith!’

At that time: Jesus went away and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.’ But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she is crying out after us.’ He answered, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’ And he answered, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed instantly.

04Aug

Today, we give thanks for all the young people across Scotland who received their exam results

04 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today, we give thanks for all the young people across Scotland who received their exam results.

As they begin to look towards the next chapter of their lives, we pray that they may recognise the gifts God has placed within them and have the confidence to follow where He is calling them.

04Aug

Blessed Pauline Jaricot returns home

04 Aug, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A relic of Pauline Jaricot, the foundress of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith, has been gifted to her former residence

@followers

BLESSED Pauline Jaricot has returned home to the Maison de Lorette (House of Loreto) in Lyon, France after her family donated a very special relic to the site.

04Aug

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney | 04 August 2026

04 Aug, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney | 04 August 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

04Aug

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and patron saint of parish priests

04 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today, the Church celebrates the feast of St John Vianney, the Curé of Ars and patron saint of parish priests.

Born in France in 1786 during the turmoil of the French Revolution, John Vianney faced many obstacles on his journey to the priesthood. He struggled with his studies and was even considered unsuitable for seminary, yet his perseverance, humility and deep trust in God carried him through to ordination.

As a parish priest, he became renowned for his holiness, spending countless hours in the confessional, gently leading people back to God’s mercy. His compassion, prayer, sacrifice and unwavering dedication transformed not only his parish but the lives of pilgrims who travelled from across France to seek his counsel.

St John Vianney reminds us that true greatness is found in humble service, faithfulness to our vocation, and a heart always open to God’s mercy.

Today, we give thanks for the ministry of our priests and ask St John Vianney to pray for them, that they may continue to shepherd God’s people with wisdom, courage and love.

St John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, pray for us.

04Aug

Gospel

04 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 15:1-2, 10-14
‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.’

At that time: The Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.’
And he called the people to him and said to them, ‘Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.’ Then the disciples came and said to him, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?’ He answered, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.’