The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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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July 2025

30Jul

In WW2, Cork’s sister Kate McCarthy, worked in war hospitals across Europe, helping to smuggle Allied soldiers to safety

30 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In WW2, Cork’s sister Kate McCarthy, worked in war hospitals across Europe, helping to smuggle Allied soldiers to safety. Her role in the French resistance during WW2 would prove vitally important to the allied war effort.

She would be caught by the Gestapo in 1941, and was tortured and sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp. In her daily task there, of having to make belts for paratroopers, she intentionally skipped every 5th stitch meaning when the parachute cord was pulled, the soldier would free fall to his death.
In this role, it’s estimated she killed up to 40 Nazis per day.

Miraculously, Sister Kate survived the camp and was on the last bus out of Ravensbruck after the camp was liberated. Kate was extremely malnourished and weighed little more than four stone. Sister Kate returned to Cork to recover and eventually became mother superior of Honan Home in Co Cork for elderly people and spent the rest of her life there.

She was awarded the Médaille de la Résistance by Charles de Gaulle and in 2014 there was a plaque unveiled in Paris in the Irish College and Sister Kate's name was added.

Sister Kate, you lived a life truly worth remembering and we salute you.

🇮🇪💚☘️🇮🇪

#theirishabroad #ireland #cork #frenchresistance #ww2

30Jul

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

30 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

29Jul

Twin brothers launch online platform to give a voice to Eastern Christians - Vatican News

29 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Digital missionaries Charbel and Giovanni use social media to share the culture and traditions of Christians in the Middle East in the midst of ...

29Jul

Light a Free Prayer Candle for Komanda | www.prayercandles.org

29 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Light a Free Prayer Candle for Komanda | www.prayercandles.org

In a heartbreaking act of violence, over 40 faithful—including women and children—lost their lives while gathered in prayer at the Parish of Blessed Anuarite in Komanda, eastern Congo.

Pope Leo XIV called these victims martyrs, praying their sacrifice would become “a seed of peace, reconciliation, fraternity, and love for the Congolese people.”

Let us answer that call.

💔 Join us in honoring the memory of these innocent souls.
🕯️ Light a free virtual prayer candle today in solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters.
🙏 Pray for healing, justice, and an end to this brutal violence.

www.prayercandles.org

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them.

#PrayerCandle #CongoChurch #PraywithMe

29Jul

In the SCSSA's Annual Report, Survivors describe their positive encounters with the agency

29 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In the SCSSA's Annual Report, Survivors describe their positive encounters with the agency. http://bit.ly/3T1SiXc
🟣 Mark Joseph Williams, author of 'Torrent of Grace', admires the "passion and commitment of the SCSSA for a safer Church".
Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese of Glasgow Motherwell DioceseRC Diocese of Aberdeen RC Diocese of Galloway Diocese of Argyll & the Isles Diocese of Paisley Bishops' Conference of Scotland

29Jul

Marie Seenan, one of our Parish volunteers, told us how valuable she found our film, Dignity

29 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Marie Seenan, one of our Parish volunteers, told us how valuable she found our film, Dignity.

She said:

"As named Parish Contact for St. Vincent de Paul Parish East Kilbride, I have greatly valued the wealth of resources available on SCIAF’s website to support me in promoting their work.

"We have also greatly benefited from visits by Community Engagement Officers, Jenna and Michael and from Mark Booker, Engagement and Education Manager.

"One such visit, during this year’s Lenten Campaign was from Michael Hamilton who visited our Parish to deliver a WEE BOX workshop and to show a screening of SCIAF's "Dignity" documentary. The documentary showcases the charity’s work in Zambia, highlighting their focus on dignity through various initiatives.

"An added feature was music by Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue, a long-time SCIAF supporter, and aims to inspire viewers to support SCIAF’s work.

"The documentary successfully demonstrated the positive impact of SCIAF's work on individuals and communities, emphasising their commitment to upholding human dignity. Feedback from parishioners who attended the screening of the documentary, described it as inspiring and heart-warming, effectively conveying the importance of SCIAF's mission and the dignity of the people they serve.

"I would certainly encourage as many parishes as possible to provide an opportunity for their parishioners to view this documentary. It certainly had an impact on our Parishioners and inspired us to continue praying for and supporting the work of SCIAF in our Parish."

🍿Watch or download the film today: https://pulse.ly/ltfm1pwm4m

Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions about setting up a screening session in your school or Parish.

29Jul

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

29 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

28Jul

Cardinal Parolin reiterates call for Palestinian state and decries hunger in Gaza - Vatican News

28 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-07/cardinal-parolin-call-palestinian-state-decries-hunger-gaza.html

In a conversation with journalists on the sidelines of a Jubilee event for digital influencers, Cardinal Parolin emphasizes the importance of ...

28Jul

Pope Leo XIV: A change of course is needed on environment - Vatican News

28 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-07/pope-leo-xiv-message-environment-clameurs-rally-in-jambville.html

Pope Leo XIV writes to French guides and scouts partaking in the “Clameurs” Rally in Jambville, which concludes today, insisting that an ecological ...

28Jul

Massacre in Congolese Catholic church kills at least 31 worshippers

28 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/265591/massacre-in-congolese-catholic-church-kills-at-least-31-worshippers

According to the BBC, members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) stormed a church in the town of Komanda, where they shot and killed the worshippers.