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 May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: Justice & Peace Scotland FacebookReturn

May 2025

23May

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

23 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📸Justice & Peace Relaunch Gathering in Motherwell Diocese.

What a great turn out for last night's mass and dialogue event on how justice and peace activity can be relaunched in the Diocese of Motherwell.

A special thank you to Bishop Toal for asking us to organise this event and to Paul Foley, the new Motherwell representative at Justice & Peace Scotland. If you are based in the diocese and want to know more, get in touch with Paul on: [email protected]

If you would like support to start or refresh justice and peace work in your diocese or parish, please get in touch with us - we are more than happy to help and available to travel across the country.

21May

🗓️❗SAVE THE DATE - Dignity Not Detention Solidarity Gathering

21 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🗓️❗SAVE THE DATE - Dignity Not Detention Solidarity Gathering

🔐The UK is the only country in Europe that locks people up in immigration detention centres without a time limit. Indefinite holding of human beings in prison-like conditions is inhumane and unjust.

📢Join us for our peace witness at Dungavel this June to advocate for respect for human dignity over unlimited detention. Featuring reflections led by Archbishop William Nolan, President of Justice & Peace Scotland.

⬇️All info below.

19May

❗THIS WEEK: Diocese of Motherwell Justice & Peace Relaunch

19 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

❗THIS WEEK: Diocese of Motherwell Justice & Peace Relaunch

Join Bishop Toal as he invites parishioners from across the Diocese of Motherwell to a Justice & Peace Relaunch Event. Following a Mass in the Cathedral the new Motherwell Diocese Justice and Peace Commissioner, Paul Foley, along with Anne-Marie Clements from Justice & Peace Scotland will facilitate discussions on re-establishing and connecting justice and peace activity across the diocese. All with an interest in justice and peace are welcome and encouraged to come along!

🗓️Thurs 22nd May
⛪7.00PM - Mass celebrated by Bishop Toal, Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell
🕊️7.30PM - Relaunch Gathering, Diocesan Centre, Coursington Road, Motherwell

12May

🌱JOIN US TO CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF LAUDATO SI

12 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🌱JOIN US TO CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF LAUDATO SI

🌎Justice & Peace Scotland along with the Bishops' Conference of Scotland Care of Creation Office and various partner Christian organisations invite you to join us during Laudato Si Week 2025 for "Raising Hope", a special online event to celebrate the Jubilee Year and to reflect on a decade of Laudato Si and its legacy in light of the death of Pope Francis.

💚We are delighted to welcome Bishop John Arnold of Salford Diocese, the Spokesperson for the Environment of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. It will be a wonderful opportunity to listen and dialogue with Bishop John as we seek to read the signs of the times in the context of Laudato Si' and be Pilgrims of Hope.

🗓️Friday 30th May
🕖7.00PM - 8.30PM
⬇️Use the link in the comments to register and receive access.

08May

Habemus Papam!

08 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

Habemus Papam! 🇻🇦

Our new pope, Leo XIV, quotes St Augustine in his opening address to the world.

07May

Justice & Peace Scotland's cover photo

07 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

07May

Justice & Peace Scotland

07 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

06May

DIOCESE OF MOTHERWELL JUSTICE & PEACE

06 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

DIOCESE OF MOTHERWELL JUSTICE & PEACE

We are currently working alongside parishioners in Motherwell Diocese at the invitation of Bishop Toal to establish a Diocese of Motherwell Justice & Peace group.

All in the diocese who are interested in being part of this new initiative to work and pray for a fair and peaceful world are warmly invited to attend a mass and gathering later this month.

Any parishes who already have groups or individuals engaged in justice and peace work are encouraged to send representatives to the event.

DETAILS:
🗓️Thurs 22nd May
🕖7pm - Mass, 7.30pm - Gathering
⛪Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral followed by Diocesan Centre, Coursington Road, Motherwell.

01May

🇻🇦 On today's feast of St

01 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🇻🇦 On today's feast of St. Joseph the Worker, we can find inspiration in the intertwined stories of St. Joseph and Pope Francis. One was a man of the first century, labouring in a Nazareth workshop; the other, a 21st-century pope often called “the world’s parish priest,” labouring in the vineyard of the Lord.

🤍 Both taught by example that true greatness is found in humility and faithfulness. Pope Francis’ passing is felt in many hearts, but his legacy shines brightly. In his gentle smile, his tireless service, and his unwavering devotion to St. Joseph, we see the enduring power of quiet holiness that St Joseph himself embodied in his devotion to the Holy Family and to the Lord.

April 2025

23Apr

🕊Almost every time he spoke, Pope Francis rejected war, advocated for disarmament and promoted fraternity and peace

23 Apr, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🕊Almost every time he spoke, Pope Francis rejected war, advocated for disarmament and promoted fraternity and peace. His final acts were to offer his own earthly suffering for that cause.

May we be forever be inspired by him, striving unceasingly to realise his vision for God's love, justice, and peace to engulf the world.