Summary of the Plenary Meeting of BCOS
3-5th November 2025 Conforti, Coatbridge
The Bishops’ Conference met this week at Conforti Coatbridge for their autumn plenary. It was a full agenda. Amongst the topics addressed were the budget for the Conference for 2025-26, the Synodal process, the launch of a new office for Communication and Evangelisation, the Bill to introduce assisted suicide at Holyrood and the new coat of arms for the Conference.

The various agencies of the Conference made their reports. The Scottish Catholic Education Service, SCES, reported on the numerous events both at national and local level that have taken place in schools especially the pilgrimage of newly qualified teachers to Rome and their encounter with Pope Leo. Also, the input of SCES for the review of the national curriculum was highlighted. Anthony Horan of the Catholic Parliamentary Office focused his report on the proposed anti-life legislation that attacks both the sick and elderly in assisted suicide, and the unborn with the radical proposal to decriminalise abortion. The signed St Margaret Declaration of Friendship with the Scottish Episcopal Church was presented by Archbishop Cushley. Our Inter-religious officer spoke about a recent effort to engage with High schools especially St Roch’s and Holyrood High schools; both of which have pupils from many cultural backgrounds and faiths.
Aid to the Church in Need visited the Conference, represented by William More who spoke about the conference held in Glasgow last February showcasing Catholic agencies and Catholic identity in Scotland today. He also asked the Bishops to support Red Wednesday later this month.

One of the focal points of the meeting was the launch of the new office for Communications and Evangelisation that will be led by Bishop Dougan with assistance from Fr Michael Kane and Elaine Furmage of Being Catholic. The goal of the new office is to incorporate Being Catholic as an arm of the Bishops’ Conference and to tell the good news stories of the Church in Scotland. Care of Creation reported on a very successful Season of Creation Conference in September, the Care of Creation Schools competition, this year won by St Columba’s Coupar, and the Mass to be celebrated on Mon 10th Nov for the success of COP30 in Belem, Brazil.

The Conference welcomed Lady Rae and Paul Donaldson of the SCSSA who engaged the Bishops with the review of last year’s national safeguarding audit and also looked forward to the National Safeguarding Conference to be held at Strathclyde University on the 8th Nov. Also welcomed to the meeting was Lorraine Currie, Director of SCIAF who expressed great satisfaction with the campaigns and events that have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of our overseas aid agency.

Rectors from both the Pontifical Scots College Rome and the Royal Scots College in Salamanca gave their annual reports. Seminary formation was also discussed with the Priests for Scotland Exec regarding the new ratio for formation and its enhancement of seminary education. Students now complete both a pastoral year and a diaconate year mainly in Scotland in addition to academic studies in Salamanca and Rome.

Bishop Gilbert, recently re-elected as chair of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, ICEL, outlined the new translation for the Rite of Infant Baptism. Other matters discussed were Stella Maris (chaplaincy to seafarers), marriage annulment processes, the request by lay faithful to promote the cause of Joe Wilson, a teenager who died tragically in Motherwell Diocese, who kept a spiritual diary and was exemplary in living out his Catholic faith and the success of the first Marriage/Family/ Life Day at Motherwell in October which attracted participation from all across Scotland.

Finally, Jill Kent of Justice and Peace presented a wide-ranging and full report of the many activities undertaken by the agency over the past year such as engaging with the Holy Land, supporting refugees, protesting against nuclear weapons and speaking to schools and parishes. Bishop Keenan, Bishop President of the Conference, thanked all participants at the plenary and commended them for their work on behalf of the Catholic Church in Scotland. Lastly, a word of thanks to the hospitality of the Xaverian Fathers and their staff who hosted the meeting and also prepared a celebratory meal to mark the installation of Sir Harry Burns, former chief medical officer of Scotland, and Peter Kearney, former director of the Catholic Media Office, as Knights of St Gregory. The installation Mass takes place on Mon 10th Nov at St Mirin’s Cathedral Paisley.