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

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

At Christmas, Christians across Scotland gathered around the crib to contemplate the life of a vulnerable child; God entering our world as a baby in need of care, protection and love. Christmas places fragile human life at the centre of everything.

It is therefore unsettling that this season saw the first person in Scotland charged under the new so-called “buffer zone” law in Scotland; a law the Church believes curtails Scotland’s commitment to freedom of expression and conscience, and restricts critical voices from democratic debate in the public square.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 establishes “buffer zones” of up to 200 metres around abortion facilities — currently around 30 locations across Scotland. Within those zones, any conduct deemed to “influence” a decision about abortion may be criminalised. That vague description should trouble anyone who values legal clarity or free expression.

The Catholic Church does not condone harassment or intimidation, but that was not the intention of this law. The Church has been clear: harassment, intimidation and obstruction are wrong and unacceptable. But Scotland already has robust laws to deal with harassment, public disorder and threatening behaviour and it is telling that, when consulted on the proposed new law, Police Scotland did not ask for more powers, and went as far to state in written evidence to Parliament that, “existing powers and offences are sufficient to address any unlawful behaviour in the vicinity of healthcare premises.” When parliaments introduce criminal offences where existing law is already sufficient, questions should be raised and alarm bells ring.

We oppose this law because it is disproportionate and undemocratic. It represents state overreach and curtails basic freedoms. The Church would similarly oppose legislation mandating buffer zones outside nuclear weapons facilities or refugee detention centres. This should concern every Scottish citizen, regardless of their views on abortion.

As the Parliamentary Officer for the Catholic Church in Scotland pointed out, women experiencing crisis pregnancies may be “denied the opportunity to freely speak to people and organisations who may be able to help them.” A law supposedly designed to protect choice risks doing the opposite — eliminating one side of a conversation and one set of choices altogether.

Even more troubling is what the legislation anticipates. Official documentation accompanying the Act acknowledges that the law envisages criminalising “praying audibly” and “silent vigils."

This is unprecedented in modern Scotland, and it is no wonder it has raised eyebrows around the world, with concerns raised around Scotland’s commitment to human rights and freedom of expression and religion.

The implications go further. The Act extends to private homes within designated zones. A pro-life poster displayed in a window, a conversation overheard, a prayer said by a window; all could, in principle, fall within the scope of criminal sanction. When asked directly whether praying by a window in your own home could constitute an offence, Gillian Mackay, the Scottish Green Party MSP, who spearheaded the legislation, replied: “That depends on who’s passing the window.” That sends a chill down the spine of anyone who cares about civil liberties. Criminal law that depends on the perception of a passer-by is certainly not the hallmark of a free Scottish society.

The law also potentially criminalises a person standing alone in a buffer zone without any visible expression of protest, but who is deemed by others to be offering a silent pro-life inspired prayer. Even Police Scotland expressed unease. Superintendent Gerry Corrigan told Parliament that policing thought is an area they “would stay clear of,” adding: “I do not think we could go down the road of asking people what they are thinking or what their thoughts are. That feels really uncomfortable.” Yet, this is the territory into which Scottish law now ventures. Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference, noted that “none of the arguments made were able to get around the basic premise that Police Scotland had never asked for more powers.” and that the law is “draconian” and “unnecessary,” particularly considering its impact on people of faith.

Some parliamentarians attempted to mitigate the effects of the law— proposing a reasonableness defence, or exemptions for chaplains who might be criminalised for pastoral conversations. All amendments were rejected or withdrawn.

We support all those who, motivated by conscience and compassion, stand up for the right to life. It cannot be a crime to give our voice and our prayers to the unborn.

Christmas is the message that every human life has infinite dignity from its beginning. That truth is not confined to private thoughts. A society confident in its values does not fear opposing voices. It does not criminalise silent prayer. It does not ask its police or judges to peer into the minds of its citizens.

Scotland’s buffer zones law represents a profound shift in the relationship between the State and the individual — one that restricts free speech, free expression and freedom of religion in ways that should concern us all.

As we look to the child in the manger this Christmas and Epiphany, we are reminded that babies do not have a voice of their own. It is a shame that the State has now also curtailed the voices of ordinary citizens who advocate for them within its borders.

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland
6th January 2026

News from the Commissions and Agencies

February 2025

09Feb

Into the Deep: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

09 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/into-the-deep-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-fifth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

Simon Peter, the fisherman, is the first to be called personally by Jesus in Luke’s Gospel.His calling resembles Isaiah’s commissioning in the First Reading: Confronted with the holiness of the Lord, both Peter and Isaiah are overwhelmed by a sense of their own sinfulness and inadequacy. Yet

09Feb

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

09 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

08Feb

Saint Josephine Bakhita | Franciscan Media

08 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-josephine-bakhita/
Pray for all victims of trafficking especially in our communities

Kidnapped at the age of nine and being too terrified to remember her name, Josephine acquired the name “Bakhit” which means “fortunate one.”

07Feb

Report from BCOS Meeting Online 30th Jan 2025

07 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Report from BCOS Meeting Online 30th Jan 2025
At their recent online meeting, the first of 2025, the Bishops’ Conference discussed the following items:
- The various consultation documents from the Synod Office of the Holy See regarding the selection of bishops, formation of seminarians and clergy and the role of Papal nuncios. These form part of the 10 working groups appointed by our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
- The plans for a study day for the Bishops on the final document of the Synod to take place at the Ignatian Centre at the end of February.
- Archbishop Nolan reported on his recent visit to the Holy Land as part of the International Coordination group. He commented that the parish in Gaza had been supporting 60.000 people.
- The Bishops considered the latest meeting with the Board of the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.
- The Annual Cardinal Winning lecture to be held on 1st March to mark the 25th anniversary of the merger of St Andrew’s College and University of Glasgow was highlighted.
- There was a discussion about the consequences of the draconian anti-abortion buffer zone legislation and its consequences for freedom of conscience and freedom of expression.
- Bishop Keenan spoke about his recent trip to Uganda to plan the pastoral placement for students for the priesthood during their pastoral year.
- Hopes were expressed for a nationwide visit of the relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, soon to be canonised, in autumn of this year.
- Bishop Keenan looked forward to his visit to various dicasteries of the Holy See in February, as President of the Conference.
- Bishops Keenan and McGee reported on the liaison meeting of the hierarchies of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland that took place the first of January in London.
The Conference now looks forward to its plenary meeting, in person, during March at Schoenstatt, Clachan of Campsie.

07Feb

King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Pope Francis | CNN

07 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2025/02/06/
King to make pilgrimage for Holy Year

King Charles and Queen Camilla will travel to Italy and the Vatican in April to meet with Pope Francis, as the Catholic Church celebrates a special Jubilee year, which takes place every quarter of a century.

07Feb

SCIAF blessed by Pope Francis | ICN

07 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/51665

SCIAF - the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland - has been congratulated on 60 years of service to the world's poor by none other than the Pope himself. Pope Francis sent a Papal blessing all the way from Rome to the humanitarian charity, which was founded in R...

06Feb

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

06 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

06Feb

WORLD DAY FOR MARRIAGE Sunday 9th February 2025

06 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

WORLD DAY FOR MARRIAGE Sunday 9th February 2025
The Scottish Bishops Marriage, Family and Life Commission invite all parishes to celebrate World Marriage Day this Sunday 9 February. Held on the Sunday closest to St. Valentine’s Day, World Marriage Day is a beautiful opportunity to reflect on the blessing of married love. On World Day for Marriage we pray for married couples that God may daily give them the strength and energy to support one another and their families. We especially pray that those who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship may seek help, either from diocesan marriage counsellors Marriage Counselling | Marriage and Family Life or from organisations such as Retrouvaille www.retrouvaille.org.uk

06Feb

Saint Paul Miki and Companions | Franciscan Media

06 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-paul-miki-and-companions/

A Jesuit Brother and native of Japan, Saint Paul Miki was crucified, along with 25 other Catholics, for preaching his belief in Jesus.

05Feb

Pope’s February prayer intention: ‘For vocations to priesthood, religious life’

05 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |