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

22nd October 2026

22 October 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has announced that he is stepping back from his daily duties until further notice, following medical advice.

Bishop Keenan has been undergoing medical investigations and will require further tests and examinations over the coming weeks.

During this time, Vicar General Monsignor Joe Burke will oversee the day-to-day running of the Diocese of Paisley.

Bishop Keenan hopes to provide a further update once these investigations are concluded and is grateful for your prayers at this time.

...ENDS

Notes for editors

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office. Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

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

20th October 2026

20 October 2026

Scottish Theologian Appointed to Vatican’s International Theological Commission

Dr Sara Parvis of the University of Edinburgh has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the International Theological Commission for its new five-year term (2026–2031).

The Commission brings together theologians from around the world to advise the Holy See on important questions of Catholic theology and doctrine.

Born in Aberdeen and raised in Edinburgh, Dr Parvis is an Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, specialising in early Christianity, Church history and patristic theology.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Sara on her appointment by Pope Leo to this important Commission.

“This appointment is a recognition of her distinguished theological scholarship and of the contribution Scottish scholars continue to make to the life of the universal Church.

“We wish Sara every blessing as she takes up this important responsibility and assure her of our prayers.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Parvis said:

“It’s a great honour to be appointed to the International Theological Commission, and I’m very pleased to be bringing a Scottish perspective to the conversations the group will be having over the next few years.”

...ENDS

Notes to Editor

Photo of Dr Sara Parvis: Photo of Dr Sara Parvis
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office, Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

March 2026

13Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Mark 12:28b-34
‘You shall love the Lord your God. You shall love your neighbour.’

At that time: One of the scribes came up to Jesus and asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” The second is this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ And the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.

12Mar

MSPs have voted against an amendment that would have prevented doctors from raising assisted suicide with patients unprompted

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

MSPs have voted against an amendment that would have prevented doctors from raising assisted suicide with patients unprompted.

Without this safeguard, vulnerable people could be exposed to conversations about ending their life at moments of fear, illness or pressure.

This raises serious concerns about how the Assisted Dying Bill could affect those who are elderly, disabled or seriously ill.

This bill is a danger to vulnerable people and must be rejected.

Contact your MSP today and ask them to vote against the Assisted Suicide Bill:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot

The more we KNOW, the more we say NO!

12Mar

When a law like this is introduced, it does not remain fixed

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

When a law like this is introduced, it does not remain fixed. What begins with strict limits can change over time as new cases are brought forward and pressure grows to widen eligibility.

One decision today can open the door to changes in the years ahead that we cannot fully control.

That is why it is so important to consider not only what the law says now, but where it could lead in the future.

📩 Contact your MSP and ask them to reject the Assisted Dying Bill: carenotkilling.scot

12Mar

Photos from Russell Findlay's post

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

Yes another MSP withdraws his support for the McArthur Assisted Dying Bill.

The more we KNOW, the more we say NO!

Contact your MSP to reject this bill
👉🏼 www.carenotkilling.scot

12Mar

Liam McArthur has declined to rule out the possibility of doctors in Scotland ending a patient’s life if an assisted suicide att...

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

Liam McArthur has declined to rule out the possibility of doctors in Scotland ending a patient’s life if an assisted suicide attempt does not work.

The warning signs of a slippery slope are already appearing and this proposal shows how quickly the boundaries can begin to shift.

Kill the bill. Contact your MSP today
👉🏼 carenotkilling.scot

12Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 11:14-23
‘Whoever is not with me is against me.’

At that time: Jesus was casting out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the crowd marvelled. But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the prince of demons’, while others, to test him, kept seeking from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’

11Mar

This content isn't available right now

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

Kill the Bill in Scotland

A new short documentary exposing the serious risks of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament.

Featuring voices from medicine, palliative care, politics and ethics, the film highlights growing concerns about the impact this law could have on vulnerable people and the future of end-of-life care in Scotland.

It also looks at the experience of other countries, where assisted suicide laws introduced with safeguards have later expanded far beyond their original limits.

📢 The more we KNOW, the more we say NO.

Now is the time to raise your voice.

Contact your MSP today:
👉 https://www.carenotkilling.scot/
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

11Mar

One of the most serious concerns about assisted suicide legislation is this: safeguards do not work

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

One of the most serious concerns about assisted suicide legislation is this: safeguards do not work.

We only have to look at countries that have already introduced these laws. In places such as Holland, Belgium and Canada, what began with strict limits has steadily expanded. Boundaries shift. Protections weaken. And the most vulnerable are placed at risk.

Safeguards written on paper are not enough when human life is at stake.

Scotland must learn from what has happened elsewhere before crossing a line that cannot easily be undone.

The more we KNOW, the more we say NO.

Write to your MSPs by visiting:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot/

Be sure to carefully read the wording of the email to make sure you are happy for it to be sent to your MSPs. Click the button on the website and enter your postcode when prompted.

11Mar

Dr Gillian Wright raises serious concerns about the impact of assisted suicide legislation on the most vulnerable in our society

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

Dr Gillian Wright raises serious concerns about the impact of assisted suicide legislation on the most vulnerable in our society. While no one wants to see people suffer at the end of life, she warns that laws like this risk sending a dangerous message that the lives of those who are frail, terminally ill, elderly, lonely, or struggling with mental illness are somehow less valuable.

Experience from other countries shows how quickly such laws can expand. In Canada, legislation that was first presented as tightly restricted to those who were terminally ill has since been widened to include people with chronic illness and is moving toward including those with psychiatric conditions.

These developments raise important questions about whether any system can truly safeguard those who may feel pressure, isolation, or a sense of being a burden.

The more we know, the more we say no.

Learn more and contact your MSP today:
🌐 http://carenotkilling.scot

11Mar

An amendment to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill proposes that eligibility should depend on a six-mo...

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

An amendment to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill proposes that eligibility should depend on a six-month prognosis.

But leading palliative care experts warn that predicting how long someone has left to live is not an exact science. Prognosis is often uncertain, and many people live far longer than expected.

Turning population averages into legal deadlines risks serious and irreversible mistakes.

When the stakes are life and death, uncertainty matters.

The more we know, the more we say NO.

Learn more and contact your MSP:
👉 https://carenotkilling.scot/