The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

In this reflection for the Fifth Sunday of the Year, Bishop Joseph Toal prays the Angelus and speaks from St Bartholomew’s Church in Townhead, Coatbridge, where he has just celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Marking the World Day of Marriage, Bishop Toal reflects on the importance of marriage and family life in the Church and in society, asking the intercession of St Joseph for married couples and for those preparing to commit their lives in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

He also addresses the forthcoming assisted dying legislation in Scotland, encouraging Catholics to remain informed, engaged, and faithful to the Church’s teaching on the dignity and sanctity of human life.

As Lent approaches, Bishop Toal invites us to examine our relationship with God, to resist the pull toward self-determination, and to place our lives more fully in the Lord’s hands.

Holy Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 08 February 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saints Paul Miki and Companions | 06 February 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has announced that, on 3 February 2026, a decree will be published adding the memoria ad libitum of Saint John Henry Newman to the General Roman Calendar, together with the related liturgical texts.

From 3 February 2026, Saint John Henry Newman will be formally included in the Church’s worldwide liturgical calendar as an optional memorial, to be observed on 9 October. This means that parishes across the universal Church may choose to remember him at Mass on that day, using newly approved prayers and liturgical texts.

Saint John Henry Newman, pray for us.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up this important role in the coming months, assisting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry. He succeeds Fr Nick Welsh, whose dedicated service to the College is warmly acknowledged by the Bishops.

Fr Matthew studied at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome from 2009 to 2017. He was ordained to the priesthood on 30 June 2016 at St John’s Church, Barrhead.
Following ordination, he served as curate at St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley, from 2017 to 2019. He was appointed Parish Priest of St Francis, Port Glasgow, in 2019, serving there until 2024. Since then, he has been Parish Priest of St Aidan’s, Johnstone, and since 2025 has also served Christ the King, Howwood.

In addition to parish ministry, Fr Matthew currently serves as Vicar Episcopal for Education in the Diocese of Paisley and as Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.

Commenting on the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
"I want to thank Father Matthew for his generosity of spirit in accepting this important role in the formation of our future priests. He has been happy and thriving in his parish work, in his commitments in the diocese regarding our schools as well as in his national work at our Tribunal. We will miss him from our diocese both personally and pastorally for the time when he is away. I know he will now accept this latest appointment by the bishops of Scotland with his same characteristic faithfulness, dedication and zeal. We assure him of our prayers and wish him a joyful and fruitful ministry in Rome."

Fr Matthew said:
“I was privileged to spend eight years at the Scots College in Rome, studying, praying, and preparing to serve God's people. I am immensely grateful for everything I received during that time, and I look forward to assisting others in their formation for the diocesan priesthood. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop John Keenan for his guidance and encouragement, and to all the Bishops of Scotland for their trust in appointing me as Vice Rector. I ask everyone to keep me, and all those involved in priestly formation, in their prayers.”

The Rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Fr Mark Cassidy, said:
"I am delighted that Fr Matthew will be joining the College as vice rector in succession to Fr Nick Welsh. Bringing his own talents and gifts to the role, I am sure that Fr Matthew will build on the good work done by his predecessor in helping to develop the formation programme here at the College. I know that Fr Matthew will be a great example and mentor to our men studying for the priesthood."

The Bishops of Scotland commend Fr Matthew to the prayers of the faithful as he prepares to take up this important role in the life of the Church in Scotland.