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.

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

June 2025

13Jun

📢DIGNITY NOT DETENTION - 2 DAYS TO GO!

13 Jun, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📢DIGNITY NOT DETENTION - 2 DAYS TO GO!

Justice & Peace Scotland President, Archbishop William Nolan, will lead us in reflection at Sunday's Dignity Not Detention gathering outside Dungavel House in Strathaven.

📍 Dungavel House, ML10 6RF
🕐1pm
🪧 Join us to advocate for an end to indefinite immigration detention.

12Jun

How Catholicism Got Cool

12 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.thefp.com/p/meet-americas-newest-catholics

Young Americans and people around the world are flocking to the Catholic Church. The Free Press spoke to them to find out why.

12Jun

❗NEXT WEEK: The second gathering of the new Motherwell Diocese Justice and Peace Commission

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

❗NEXT WEEK: The second gathering of the new Motherwell Diocese Justice and Peace Commission.

We have been delighted to support parishioners across the Diocese of Motherwell as they work to re-establish the diocese’s long tradition of justice and peace activity and advocacy. Following a successful and enthusiastic first gathering, a second meeting will take place next week. All those across the diocese who are interested in being part of this renewed network are warmly encouraged to attend. Even if you weren't at the first event you are more than welcome to come along!

🗓️ Thursday 19th June
⛪ Holy Mass in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral at 7pm
🕊️ Justice and Peace Gathering in the Diocesan Offices, Coursington Road, Motherwell at 7.30pm
📧For more info contact Paul Foley on paulfoley@rcdom.org.uk

11Jun

Saint Barnabas | Franciscan Media

11 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-barnabas/

What little we know about Saint Barnabas comes to us from Acts of the Apostles, where he plays a fairly big role in the expansion of the early Church. Closely associated with Saint Paul, he shared in several of Paul’s trips and difficulties.

11Jun

‘Both lives matter’, MPs told in abortion decriminalisation debate

11 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.christian.org.uk/news/both-lives-matter-mps-told-in-abortion-decriminalisation-debate/

MPs have spoken in defence of the unborn and the welfare of expectant mothers in Parliament.

11Jun

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

11 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

11Jun

Congratulations to Canon Patrick O’Sullivan, a retired priest of the Diocese, who is celebrating the 70th Anniversary of his Ord...

11 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Congratulations to Canon Patrick O’Sullivan, a retired priest of the Diocese, who is celebrating the 70th Anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood at this time.

Canon O’Sullivan was ordained in 1955 and served as an Assistant Priest at St Peter’s Hamilton, All Saints Coatdyke and St Mary’s Whifflet and as Parish Priest of St John Ogilvie’s Blantyre and St Andrew’s Airdrie from where he retired in 2008. Following his retirement Canon lived for many years in St Mary’s Whifflet before moving to Summerlee Care Home.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Canon O’Sullivan as he reaches this special anniversary. We give thanks for his priestly ministry and ask for God’s blessing upon him.

10Jun

📢THIS WEEKEND - Dignity Not Detention

10 Jun, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📢THIS WEEKEND - Dignity Not Detention

🪧Join us alongside Archbishop Nolan for a peaceful witness outside Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre as we call for an end to indefinite immigration detention in the UK.

👨‍🧒This Sunday, while many of us celebrate Father’s Day with our loved ones, the fathers detained inside Dungavel will remain separated from their children, potentially cut off from family visits by the centre’s remote location and lack of public transport access.

🤍Every person deserves to be treated with dignity however in detention centres like Dungavel, people are held in prison like conditions with no set time limit and no clear idea of when they will be released. This prolonged uncertainty takes a considerable toll on mental wellbeing, disconnects people from their families and communities, and can amplifying pre-existing stress or trauma.

Join us to raise our voices for a system that respects the dignity of all:
🗺️Dungavel House, Strathaven, ML10 6RF
🕐Sunday 15th June at 1.00PM

10Jun

Scotland’s assisted dying law ‘unlikely to pass as 21 MSPs waver’

10 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Scottish Parliament voted last week to support the principle of assisted dying but opponents say Bill will not pass

10Jun

'It's simply not safe': A thousand doctors write to MPs urging them to vote against assisted dying bill

10 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Supporters of the bill say it would allow terminally ill patients from England and Wales to end their lives "on their own terms", providing they have a life expectancy of six months or less.