The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Following a request from the Holy See, the Bishops of Scotland have been invited to reflect on how the structures of the Church in our country can best serve her mission in the years ahead, specifically whether the present situation of eight dioceses is suitable.

We are all aware of the challenges before us — fewer clergy, changing patterns of practice, and increasing pressures on our diocesan resources, among other things. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel and to lead our people to Christ.

Two possible pathways are being proposed for careful discernment: developing deeper cooperation and the sharing of resources across dioceses within our present structures, or the merging of some dioceses.

In order to best inform ourselves and the Holy See, each bishop will engage with his diocese over the coming months for the first part of this process. Everyone will be given the opportunity to pray, reflect, and contribute.

Following-on from the presentation of a discussion paper, responses from each diocese will contribute to the initial findings which will be given to the Holy See in the Autumn.

This is not simply an administrative exercise. It is a pastoral and missionary response to our changing landscape. This process will ensure our Church in Scotland will continue to grow ever more missionary, more Christ-centred, and more collaborative in the service of God’s people.

Entrusting this work to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to the intercession of Our Lady, we move forward together with confidence and renewed hope.

Gospel
John 11:1-45
‘I am the resurrection and the life.’

At that time: A certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary, who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, ‘Let us go to Judea again.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?’ Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.’ After saying these things, he said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.’ The disciples said to him, ‘Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.’ Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’ So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’
Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha said to him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.’
When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, ‘The Teacher is here and is calling for you.’ And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?’
Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, by this time there will be a smell, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him.

Huge congratulations to everyone at St Patrick’s Primary School Coatbridge on receiving a very positive inspection report.

Inspectors highlighted the school’s caring culture, the strong relationships between staff and pupils, and the high quality of learning across both the school and nursery.

The school received a “good” evaluation for learning, teaching and assessment, and for raising attainment and achievement.

A wonderful achievement and a real testament to the dedication of staff, pupils and the wider school community. Well done to you all 👏

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲 (16–18 March 2026)

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland met at the Schoenstatt Shrine from 16–18 March for their Spring Plenary Meeting. The gathering included discussion, decision-making and updates on a wide range of matters affecting the life and mission of the Church in Scotland.

The bishops received reports and updates from the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office and the Scottish Catholic Education Service. They also considered papers relating to secondary education provision and the work of the Board of Religious Studies.

A number of items relating to liturgy and sacramental practice were discussed, including reports from the national Liturgy Commission, developments in liturgical texts currently being prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), and pastoral questions surrounding some specific rites.

The bishops also received reports and updates on prison chaplaincy, justice and peace work, ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, Missio, and the Scottish Catholic Archives.

Safeguarding matters were discussed, alongside reports relating to ministry and formation, including the permanent diaconate and proposals concerning seminary formation and the preparation of candidates for priesthood.

The Church’s developing communications and evangelisation strategy was also a focus, alongside preparations for future synodal initiatives within the Church.

During the meeting, the bishops also celebrated Mass together each day and prayed the Liturgy of the Hours at the Shrine.

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has published an Election Briefing Pack ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. This comprehensive resource aims to guide Catholics in Scotland to engage thoughtfully and prayerfully in the democratic process, reflecting on their responsibilities as citizens and disciples of Jesus Christ. ​

The briefing highlights key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, including human dignity, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity, and addresses critical moral issues such as the protection of life, care for the poor, accessible healthcare, environmental stewardship, and the defence of religious freedom. It also provides suggested questions for candidates, encouraging voters to engage with political representatives on topics such as poverty, family, education, and peacebuilding. ​

The pack includes a pastoral letter from Scotland’s Catholic bishops, urging voters to approach the election with faith-formed consciences and a commitment to justice, compassion, and unity. ​The bishops emphasise the importance of electing a Parliament with integrity and which prioritises the dignity of the most vulnerable in society. ​

Additionally, the pack offers practical resources, including a guide to hosting hustings and a link to find local candidates. A special prayer for the election is included, inviting Catholics to seek God’s guidance in their voting decisions. ​

For more information and resources, visit https://rcpolitics.org/scottish-parliament-election-2026/