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: Being CatholicReturn

May 2026

16May

Pope Leo XIV will make an Apostolic Journey to France from 25–28 September this year, in what will be the first official papal v...

16 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Pope Leo XIV will make an Apostolic Journey to France from 25–28 September this year, in what will be the first official papal visit to the country in 18 years.

16May

Holy Mass of Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter | 16 May 2026

16 May, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter | 16 May 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

16May

Gospel

16 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 16:23b-28
‘The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.’

15May

The Church is not a club turned in on itself

15 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

The Church is not a club turned in on itself. It is called to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News.

In this powerful reflection for Communications Sunday, Bishop Frank reminds us that every Christian is called to be an evangeliser through our words, our witness, and the way we live our faith each day.

From stained glass windows to television and the digital world, the Church has always used every means possible to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it.

This weekend, there will be a special collection at Masses across Scotland for Communications Sunday, supporting the work of the Office for Communications and Evangelisation.

Please keep this mission in your prayers and, if you are able, support the collection at Mass or donate online via the link below.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/CommsSunday

15May

Holy Mass of Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | 15 May 2026

15 May, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | 15 May 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

14May

The Camp Out is getting closer, but there's still time to sign up!

14 May, 2026 | ACN Scotland | Being Catholic |

The Camp Out is getting closer, but there's still time to sign up! ⛺✨

Your presence, prayers, and fundraising can change the lives of displaced families in Nigeria, Lebanon, Ukraine, and beyond. 🌍 Will you camp out to make a difference?

📅 Saturday, 30 May – Sunday, 31 May
📍 Carfin Grotto, Motherwell, ML1 5AJ
🕰️ 8pm – 8am
🔗Visit https://acnuk.org/camp-out-hope to learn more about signing up and fundraising!

#ACNScotland #CampOutForHope #FaithInAction #supportthesuffering

Motherwell Diocese Diocese of Motherwell Youth RCAG YOUTH Archdiocese of Glasgow Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Diocese of Paisley RC Diocese of Galloway Carfin Grotto Bishops' Conference of Scotland

13May

Holy Mass of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima | 13 May 2026

13 May, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima | 13 May 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

13May

Gospel

13 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 16:12-15
‘All that the Father has is mine; the Spirit will take what is mine and declare it to you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.’

12May

Marian Devotions

12 May, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Marian Devotions
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

12May

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

12 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Congratulazioni to Fr Eugenio Montesi, who has been awarded the annual Italian Scotland Medal in recognition of his decades of care and support for the Italian community in Scotland.

The Xaverian priest, who continues his ministry at the age of 86, received the award from the charity’s Patron, Sir Anton Muscatelli, during the annual Italian Scotland lunch at Sandro’s restaurant in Glasgow.

It was also a special occasion as families gathered to celebrate Festa della Mamma in Italy and remember mothers, both present and departed.

📸 Terry Boyd Photography