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The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

13th April 2026


13 April 2026

Peace and Dialogue: the Gospel Response to Conflict

The Bishops of Scotland today renew their urgent appeal to political leaders across the world to pursue peace with courage, determination, and sincerity. In a time marked by deepening conflict and human suffering, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan, the need for dialogue and diplomatic solutions has never been more pressing.

War brings devastation, loss, and division. It leaves lasting wounds in families, communities, and nations, and it disproportionately harms the innocent. The Bishops call on all those in positions of authority to reject the path of escalation and instead commit themselves to meaningful dialogue, patient negotiation, and the difficult but necessary work of peacebuilding.

The Bishops express their gratitude to Pope Leo for his clear and consistent voice in calling for peace. His leadership continues to be a guiding light for the Church and the world at this critical time.

Reflecting on the Holy Father’s recent Vigil for Peace held last Saturday, the Bishops highlight his powerful words:
“Let us silence the weapons, so that the voice of humanity may be heard. Let us choose encounter over confrontation, and the courage of peace over the illusion of power.”

The Bishops of Scotland invite Catholics across our country to join the Holy Father in this appeal. In parishes, homes, and communities, we continue to pray fervently for an end to violence and for the triumph of justice and reconciliation.

The Bishops urge all people of goodwill to stand together in hope. Peace is not beyond reach - but it requires genuine humility, courage, and a shared commitment to the dignity of every human life.

As the Holy Father begins his apostolic journey to several countries in Africa as a missionary of peace, we assure him of our continued prayers and solidarity.

Image: Pope Leo XIV by Edgar Beltrán / Wikimedia Commons

20th March 2026


20 March 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference 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.


Contact:

Media Office

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

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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

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December 2025
What does “Happy Christmas” really mean?

Bishop Frank Dougan reflects on Christmas as truly blessed because God is with us. From the fall in Genesis to the joy of the Incarnation, he reminds us of this extraordinary truth: God became man so that we might share in His divine life.

This Christmas, we are invited not to live without God, but to rejoice in the gift of salvation and give thanks, like the shepherds, for all that God has done for us.

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As Christmas Day continues around the world, the appeal remains:

One Day of Peace.
- Pope Leo XIV.

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26,000 people in St Peter’s Square to hear Pope Leo’s Christmas Urbi at Orbi message and receive his blessing today.

📸 Vatican Media



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"Merry Christmas! May the peace of Christ reign in your hearts and in your families." - Pope Leo XIV

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We wish you all a happy and holy Christmas.

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Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, the Birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is a feast overflowing with joy: the Eternal Word becomes flesh and dwells among us. All that the patriarchs and prophets longed for is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Like the shepherds, we come to the manger and adore the Son of God, who came down from heaven for our salvation.

The heart of Christmas is captured beautifully in the Preface of the Nativity: "For by the mystery of the Word made flesh the light of Thy glory hath shone anew upon the eyes of our mind, so that while we acknowledge Him as God seen by men, we may be drawn by Him to the love of things unseen."

May this holy season draw us closer to Christ and to the hope He brings.

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Gospel of the day (John 1:1-5, 9-14)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the Only Begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

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On Christmas Day, the Holy Father appeals to the world for one full day of peace.

A simple request.

#ChristmasDay #OneDayOfPeace

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Gospel of the Day (Luke 1:67-79)

At that time: Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

‘Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
the oath that he swore to our father Abraham to grant us
that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

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This evening, Pope Leo spoke with deep honesty about assisted suicide, following the recent legalisation of euthanasia in his home state of Illinois.

After meeting with the Governor of Illinois, the Holy Father said he was “very disappointed” by the decision and reaffirmed the Church’s teaching on the sacredness of human life, from conception to natural death. He urged people, especially during these Christmas days, to reflect on the goodness and dignity of every human life, reminding us that God became human to show us what it truly means to live a human life.

These words resonate strongly here in Scotland.

As many will know, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is approaching a final Stage 3 vote at Holyrood early next year. This is a critical moment. Religious groups, medical professionals, disability groups and charities are working together to protect the most vulnerable and to uphold the dignity of life at its most fragile.

Pope Leo’s message is about compassion that does not abandon, care that does not hasten death, and a society that values every life until its natural end.

Now is a time for prayer, reflection, and respectful engagement with our MSPs. If you wish to make your voice heard in a courteous and constructive way, you can contact your MSPs and learn more about the legislation here:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot/

“I hope and pray that the respect for life will once again grow in all moments of human existence.” — Pope Leo

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