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The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Pope Francis RIP


17th December 1936 – 21st April 2025

May he rest in peace


Message of Bishop Keenan President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

It was with deep sadness that we woke to the news that Pope Francis has died and we share in the sense of loss of millions of people across the world. It is a consolation to us that he went to the LORD on Easter Monday and the great Easter Day as a sort of first fruits of the salvation which the Risen Christ shares with His Church.

We thank GOD for the Pope’s service which was always human and humble in its informal style and with a message of GOD’s universal love and unconditional mercy that brought hope to so many.

A man of the poor who lived simply, Pope Francis was a voice for the voiceless and all those who find themselves on the margins in our world. A man of peace, he called the Church to listen to everyone, to move forward together as a family, to find a conciliatory approach to those of different beliefs and lifestyles, for an end to conflicts across the world and for the care of Creation as GOD’s precious gift to humanity.

He gave of himself to the end, offering up his final illness with serenity, his last acts being to visit Rome’s prison on Holy Thursday and to wish the crowds gathered in Saint Peter’s a Happy Easter.

We pray he will be enjoying the full fruits of the Resurrection, resting from his work, his good deeds going with him.
May he rest in peace.
Bishop John Keenan

Read the Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide - National Day of Prayer - April 2025

Pastoral Letter on Assisted Suicide - National Day of Prayer - April 2025 Click to open

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

https://www.holyyear2025.org.uk

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth. 

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn
April 2025
Let us join in prayer and thanksgiving 🙏


Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.
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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-urbi-et-orbi-easter-2025-peace-gaza-drc-sudan-arms.html


Pope Francis dedicates his Easter Urbi et Orbi message to calling for peace worldwide, for global disarmament and for the release of prisoners.
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Gather gladness from the skies;
Take a lesson from the ground;
Flowers do ope their heavenward eyes
And a Spring-time joy have found;
Earth throws Winter's robes away,
Decks herself for Easter Day.

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Happy Easter 🙏🙏🙏

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The Easter holidays are a perfect time to pause, pray, and explore some of Scotland’s rich Catholic heritage.

Here are some special places where faith, history, and beauty come together:

📍St Ninian’s Cave and Whithorn Priory

Walk the quiet coastal path to the cave where St Ninian, Scotland’s first known Christian missionary, is said to have prayed. Nearby, explore the ruins of Whithorn Priory — a powerful reminder of over 1,600 years of Christian faith in the area.

📍 The Whithorn Trust

Step inside the visitor centre and museum to see artefacts from centuries of pilgrimage. A brilliant stop for families wanting to connect with Scotland’s Christian story.

📍St Columba’s, Largs

Nestled by the sea, this welcoming parish is a peaceful place to visit, light a candle, and reflect — perhaps followed by a stroll along the promenade with views across to Cumbrae.

📍Carfin Grotto, Motherwell

Sometimes called “Scotland’s Lourdes”, this prayerful shrine offers Stations of the Cross, Rosary paths, and a peaceful grotto — a perfect space for quiet prayer or a family pilgrimage.

📍St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Glasgow

A beautiful and historic cathedral on the banks of the Clyde, with a peaceful atmosphere and regular Masses for visitors.

📍St Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle

The oldest building in Edinburgh, tucked inside the castle walls, and built in honour of St Margaret of Scotland — a saint, queen, and mother known for her compassion and faith.

📍St Andrew’s Cathedral, St Andrews (Fife)

Although now in ruins, this was once the largest church in Scotland — a place of immense historical and spiritual significance. Take a walk through the remains and imagine the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims.

This Eastertide, let your holidays include a step closer to the saints, the history of our faith, and Christ Himself. Where will your journey take you?
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As we prepare to celebrate the triumph of the Lord's Resurrection at the Easter Vigil in parishes across the Diocese, Bishop Toal offers his Easter Message to the people of the Diocese.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year there can be no day more hope-filled than Easter Sunday as we celebrate with great joy the Lord’s Resurrection. May the Risen Lord Jesus therefore renew our faith, fill us with great hope, and inspire further acts of Christian love and service.

A special word of welcome to those received into the Church this Easter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you experience the power of the Lord’s presence in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. May your participation in Christ and his Church sustain you constantly now in the pilgrimage of life.

As we continue to hear of the ravages of war and of the terror felt by many in our troubled world we pray earnestly for peace and justice, for forgiveness and healing, for a respite from fear and a glimmer of hope.

We pray that the Lord of New Life will keep us and our loved ones safe in his care and bring consolation to all in pain.

With my Easter blessing and good wishes,

+ Joseph Toal
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Images of Mary the sorrowful mother and the hopeful mother awaiting the resurrection of Her Son🙏



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From the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening
We have walked the Stations of the Cross. We have turned towards the love from which nothing can ever separate us. Now, as the King sleeps and a great silence descends upon all the earth, let us pray, in the words of Saint Francis, for the gift of heartfelt conversion:
“Most High and glorious God, Cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Grant me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, and profound humility. Grant me, Lord, wisdom and understanding, so that I may do your true and holy will. Amen.”

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