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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

25th October 2026


25 October 2026

Archbishop Cushley welcomes honour for Pope Leo

Archbishop Leo Cushley has welcomed the announcement that Pope Leo XIV has accepted an invitation to become Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Archbishop Cushley is the Bishop President for Ecumenical Relations of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland.

This honour follows The King’s own appointment as Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome during his State Visit to the Vatican in October last year.

Welcoming the announcement, Archbishop Cushley said:

“I warmly welcome the news that His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of Pope Leo as Papal Confrater of the College of St George at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. By this gesture, both His Majesty and the Holy Father have shown their clear wish to promote Christian unity through emphasis on all that we treasure in common, not least our respect and friendship for each other as brothers and sisters in Christ.”

...ENDS

Notes for editors

  • Photo of Bishops’ Conference of Scotland: Photo of Bishops' Conference of Scotland
  • 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]

23rd October 2026


23 October 2026

The UK Budget, to be delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28 October, will set out the UK Government’s plans for taxation and public spending alongside an independent assessment of the economic and fiscal outlook from the Office for Budget Responsibility. Its decisions will shape the resources available for public services, devolved governments and support for households and communities across the country.

The Catholic Parliamentary Office of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland urges the Chancellor to put human dignity and the common good at the heart of the Budget.

That means tackling poverty in all its forms, protecting people who need care, sustaining families and community services, and reversing international aid cuts. Poverty, inadequate housing and healthcare, family breakdown, unemployment and environmental neglect all undermine the dignity of individuals and the wellbeing of society.

For households struggling with living costs, this must include targeted energy support for those unable to afford adequate heating, alongside sustained investment in affordable housing and warmer homes. The Budget must address the cost-of-living crisis head on and provide the support people need to meet essential costs, keep their homes warm and live with dignity.

The welfare system must also provide adequate support for those in need and practical routes into employment for those able to work.

Alongside these commitments, the Budget must provide sustainable funding settlements that enable devolved governments to support all these key areas.

Our responsibility to those in need also extends beyond our borders. We urge the UK Government to reverse the planned cut in Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3% of national income by 2027 and work towards restoring 0.7%. This would support low-income countries and protect essential humanitarian and development programmes from further disruption.

The same commitment to human dignity must guide our response to refugees and people seeking asylum. We urge the UK Government to provide safe, legal routes to protection, including resettlement and family reunion, backed by adequate funding. The Budget should also support local authorities and community organisations to welcome people seeking safety and help them rebuild their lives.

Community organisations also play a vital role in supporting people in need. They require fair, sustainable and predictable funding, and their experience must help shape policy.

Finally, care for the environment must go hand in hand with care for those most affected by change. The Chancellor must provide predictable international climate finance for communities in greatest need and protect low-income households from disproportionate costs in the transition to cleaner energy.

..ENDS

Notes for editors

  • Photo of Bishops’ Conference of Scotland: Photo of Bishops' Conference of Scotland
  • 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]

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
October 2025



Today we had the great joy of celebrating the 100th birthday of our dear Mother Mary of the Resurrection. His Grace Archbishop Leo Cushley celebrated Mass in our chapel, and stayed and talked with us afterwards, which we enjoyed very much. In the afternoon, we gave Mother some gifts, chief of which was an apostolic blessing from His Holiness Pope Leo. Tomorrow we will put more photos and information on our website, as there hasn't been time today. It has been quite busy, but Mother seems to have thrived on it! We thank God for her spirit of prayer, her fidelity to her vocation, and her unfailing cheerfulness.
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The Candlelight Procession takes place tomorrow (Thur 30 Oct) in Glasgow.

It commemorates all those lost to abortion since the 1967 Abortion Act and is a time to reflect, pray, and honour every one of those innocent lives.
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The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh runs an online Diploma in Catechetics each year which is open to people across Scotland.

Registration and details at bit.ly/diploma2026


Register now for the Diploma in Catechetics 2026 at bit.ly/diploma2026

Feedback from the 2025 course:

▪ "Each speaker was excellent."
Sandy C, Burntisland

▪ "Deepened my knowledge of the Catechism and helped to grow my personal faith."
- Marianne S, Falkirk

▪ "Deepened my understanding of the faith in such an accessible format."
- Marco P, Aberdeen
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Simon is eleventh in the list of the twelve Apostles. He is known as Simon the Zealot, but nothing else is known about him. His other name of “Simon Cananaeus” simply adapts another Hebrew word for “zeal” and has nothing to do with the town Cana.
________
St Jude, Apostle
Jude, also called Thaddaeus, is the apostle who at the Last Supper asked the Lord why he showed himself only to the disciples and not to the world. For many centuries he was scarcely venerated because people confused him with Judas Iscariot. He is the patron saint of lost and desperate causes.


________

Collect

O God, who by the blessed Apostles
have brought us to acknowledge your name,
graciously grant,
through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude,
that the Church may constantly grow
by increase of the peoples who believe in you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever Amen

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A new report by the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) covering the period between August 10 and October 26 has revealed that in just the 76 days, over 100 Christians in Nigeria were killed, and 120 others kidnapped by jihadist groups.

The report that Intersociety Founder and Leader, Emeka Umeagbalasi, shared with ACI Africa on Sunday, October 26 raises an alarm about “continuation, intensification, unchecked, untamed, widespread, coordinated and systematic attacks by Islamic Jihadists and their enablers, aiders and abettors against defenseless Christians in Nigeria.”

Of the 120 Christians abducted, at least 12 “are likely not coming back alive from the hands of their jihadist captors,” reads the Intersociety report in part.

Researchers at Intersociety base their assumption that a percentage of those abducted may never come back alive on an existing trend by the jihadists to kill their captives.

“A clear case in point is the over 1,000 abducted Christian hostages held inside Rijana Forest camps in Kaduna State, out of which estimated 120 or more than 10 percent are likely to have been killed in captivity,” the researchers say.

Findings by Intersociety also show that out of the 100 defenseless Christian deaths, Jihadist Fulani militants “hiding under Fulani herdsmen’” accounted for an estimated 80 deaths while Jihadist Boko Haram insurgents killed the other 20 Christian deaths.

Intersociety reports that on October 14, some 13 Christians from Rochas village in Nigeria’s Plateau State were massacred by Jihadist Fulani militants, during which scores were injured and abducted.

The slain 13 defenseless Christians included children and eight adults. Those killed in the attack are identified as Solomon Dung Choji (43), Sunday Gyang Chollom (29), Davou Mallam Chollom (24), Kefas Dung Sambo (29), Chollom Danjuma Chollom (37), Christina Davou Chollom (27), Marvelous Chollom (8), Japhet Solomon (14), Ntyang Chollom Danjuma (6), Mary Monday (10), Mancha Monday (12), Solomon Chung (40) and Musa Dung Bot (32).

It further reports that on October 10, no fewer than nine Christians were killed and eight others critically wounded by Jihadist Fulani militants in Kachia part of Southern Kaduna.

Intersociety further refers to a September 2 report that “no fewer than eight Christians were killed by Boko Haram jihadists on August 30” in Borno State, and three others “in another area”.

The researchers further refer to Truth-Nigeria’s report of October 22 that reports the October 20 killing of five Christians by Boko Haram in Kwakwahu village of Madagali in Adamawa State during an attack in which four other Christians were abducted.

According to Sahara Reporters, no fewer than 12 persons, all of them Christians, including a medical doctor and some patients were abducted by Fulani Jihadists on October 21 in Southern Kaduna.

“There was also another attack in Gidan Busa village in Kachia county, during which three Christians were abducted and herded into Jihadist forests,” Intersociety has reported.

Leaders of the Kwara State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) who spoke to Intersociety on October 25 also reported about “numerous” Christians having been killed, abducted or displaced in recent months since August by Fulani Bandits.

The bandits, Intersociety was told, are invading Yoruba parts of Kwara, Kogi and Nasarawa States from different fronts, during which several churches have also been sacked or destroyed especially in places like Ifelodun, Irepodun, Ekiti, Kiama, Isin, Oke Ero, Pategi, Edu and Baruten.

The Kwara CAN leaders also lamented over marginalization and deprivation of access to political office and representation.

Intersociety also refers to an October 24 report by Truth-Nigeria, that shows that in addition to more than 800 Christians held by Fulani Jihadists inside Rijana forest camps in Southern Kaduna, not less than 24 more Christians were abducted on September 20.

The researchers at Intersociety say that out of more than 1,000 Christian hostages abducted and held by Fulani Jihadists from December 2024 to October 2025, an estimated 200 have been ransomed and freed and more than 800 others remain in captivity.

“It is also our estimation that 120 have died in captivity since February 2025 and no fewer than ten of the Christian hostages killed in captivity in the past 76 days or since August 10,” the intersociety report reads.

Full story: https://ow.ly/zW3z50XiQ9F
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The Vatican has released the official logos and mottos for Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journeys to Türkiye and Lebanon, scheduled for November 27-December 2, 2025. The Türkiye logo, marking the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, bears the motto “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” The Lebanon logo depicts Pope Leo blessing the nation beside a dove and a cedar tree, with the motto “Blessed are the Peacemakers.” Both designs capture the heart of Pope Leo’s first international journey: a mission of peace, unity, and hope in the East.

#shalomworldnews #popeleoxiv

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https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0p8x9y0
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Pope Leo XIV prepares to visit Türkiye and Lebanon next month, 27 November – 2 December 2025, which will be the first Apostolic Journey outside of the ...
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