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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March 2026

21Mar

In the coming weeks, dioceses across Scotland will gather for the Chrism Mass

21 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In the coming weeks, dioceses across Scotland will gather for the Chrism Mass.

This is a powerful moment in the life of the Church, where priests renew their promises and the oils used in the sacraments are blessed.

We invite you to take part if you can.

📍 Full list of Mass times across Scotland

21Mar

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

21 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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 👏

21Mar

Gospel

21 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 7:40-52
‘Is the Christ to come from Galilee?’

At that time: When the crowd heard these words of Jesus some of the people said, ‘This really is the Prophet.’ Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’ But some said, ‘Is the Christ to come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the offspring of David, and comes from Bethlehem, the village where David was?’ So there was a division among the people over him. Some of them wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him.
The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, ‘Why did you not bring him?’ The officers answered, ‘No one ever spoke like this man!’ The Pharisees answered them, ‘Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.’ Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, ‘Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?’ They replied, ‘Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.’

20Mar

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

20 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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.

20Mar

Gospel

20 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
‘They were seeking to arrest him, but his hour had not yet come.’

At that time: Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him.
Now the Jew’s Feast of Booths was at hand. After his brothers and sisters had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, ‘Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.’ So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the Temple, ‘You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.’ So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

19Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

19 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Barra Teens have done it ✅

Raising more than £3,000, five cousins cycled 50km, swam 5.5km and ran 12.5km across Barra and Benbecula in an incredible fundraising challenge in support of the Wee Box appeal for SCIAF Sunday.

19Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

19 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The SSVP Mini Vinnies from St Edward’s Primary School hosted a joyful St Patrick’s Day Coffee Morning in their parish this week, raising funds as part of their Lenten activities.

It was a wonderful example of a Catholic school community living out the spirit of Lent, encouraging young people to support others through acts of charity, service and generosity.

A fantastic morning was enjoyed by all and a great witness to faith in action.

19Mar

Saint Joseph was a simple manual worker, descended from the royal house of David, yet chosen by God to be the spouse of the Moth...

19 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Saint Joseph was a simple manual worker, descended from the royal house of David, yet chosen by God to be the spouse of the Mother of God. Scripture says little about him, but it gives him a powerful title. He was a just man. This tells us he faithfully protected and guarded the greatest treasures on earth, Jesus and Mary.

One of the most painful moments of his life was discovering that Mary was with child. Yet in that trial his greatness was revealed. Trusting God completely, he became the quiet and trustworthy witness to the mystery of Christ’s birth. After this, he steps gently into the background of the Gospel story.

Tradition holds that he died before Jesus began his public ministry. His death is often described as the most beautiful, in the presence of Jesus and Mary. For centuries he remained hidden and little spoken of, but devotion to him grew especially from the fifteenth century onwards.

Today the Church honours him on 19 March and again on 1 May as patron of workers. He is also the patron of fathers, carpenters, social justice and of the dying.

In Joseph we see holiness lived in quiet faithfulness, humility and trust.

19Mar

Gospel

19 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a
‘Joseph did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.’

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

18Mar

Scottish Parliament votes against Assisted Dying Bill - The Tablet

18 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Scotland has spoken.

MSPs have voted 69 to 57 against the Assisted Dying Bill, following months of debate and careful consideration.

This decision reflects real concern for protecting the most vulnerable and ensuring that compassion is rooted in care, dignity, and support, never in ending life.

As highlighted in this report from The Tablet, the focus must now turn to strengthening palliative care and making sure it is properly funded and accessible to all who need it.

👉 Read more:

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland told MSPs they had “taken the correct and responsible course of action” after they voted against Assisted Dying by a majority