The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

13th April 2026

13 April 2026

Peace and Dialogue: the Gospel Response to Conflict

The Bishops of Scotland today renew their urgent appeal to political leaders across the world to pursue peace with courage, determination, and sincerity. In a time marked by deepening conflict and human suffering, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan, the need for dialogue and diplomatic solutions has never been more pressing.

War brings devastation, loss, and division. It leaves lasting wounds in families, communities, and nations, and it disproportionately harms the innocent. The Bishops call on all those in positions of authority to reject the path of escalation and instead commit themselves to meaningful dialogue, patient negotiation, and the difficult but necessary work of peacebuilding.

The Bishops express their gratitude to Pope Leo for his clear and consistent voice in calling for peace. His leadership continues to be a guiding light for the Church and the world at this critical time.

Reflecting on the Holy Father’s recent Vigil for Peace held last Saturday, the Bishops highlight his powerful words:
“Let us silence the weapons, so that the voice of humanity may be heard. Let us choose encounter over confrontation, and the courage of peace over the illusion of power.”

The Bishops of Scotland invite Catholics across our country to join the Holy Father in this appeal. In parishes, homes, and communities, we continue to pray fervently for an end to violence and for the triumph of justice and reconciliation.

The Bishops urge all people of goodwill to stand together in hope. Peace is not beyond reach - but it requires genuine humility, courage, and a shared commitment to the dignity of every human life.

As the Holy Father begins his apostolic journey to several countries in Africa as a missionary of peace, we assure him of our continued prayers and solidarity.

Image: Pope Leo XIV by Edgar Beltrán / Wikimedia Commons

20th March 2026

20 March 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Following a request from the Holy See, the Bishops of Scotland have been invited to reflect on how the structures of the Church in our country can best serve her mission in the years ahead, specifically whether the present situation of eight dioceses is suitable.

We are all aware of the challenges before us — fewer clergy, changing patterns of practice, and increasing pressures on our diocesan resources, among other things. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel and to lead our people to Christ.

Two possible pathways are being proposed for careful discernment: developing deeper cooperation and the sharing of resources across dioceses within our present structures, or the merging of some dioceses.

In order to best inform ourselves and the Holy See, each bishop will engage with his diocese over the coming months for the first part of this process. Everyone will be given the opportunity to pray, reflect, and contribute.

Following-on from the presentation of a discussion paper, responses from each diocese will contribute to the initial findings which will be given to the Holy See in the Autumn.

This is not simply an administrative exercise. It is a pastoral and missionary response to our changing landscape. This process will ensure our Church in Scotland will continue to grow ever more missionary, more Christ-centred, and more collaborative in the service of God’s people.

Entrusting this work to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to the intercession of Our Lady, we move forward together with confidence and renewed hope.

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

April 2025

23Apr

Photos from Our Lady of Fatima Parish's post

23 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

23Apr

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

23 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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.

22Apr

Pope Francis will be interred in the Pauline Chapel of St Mary Major’s Basilica

22 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Francis will be interred in the Pauline Chapel of St Mary Major’s Basilica. Another Pope also interred there is Pope Clement VIII who founded the Pontifical Scots College in 1600

22Apr

Photos from RC Diocese of Galloway's post

22 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

22Apr

Scotland pays tribute to Pope Francis

22 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Prayers and tributes from across Scotland for Pope Francis.

22Apr

💚In Memory of Pope Francis: Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si' - Raising Hope for Climate Justice

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

💚In Memory of Pope Francis: Celebrating 10 Years of Laudato Si' - Raising Hope for Climate Justice

🌱One of the legacies of Francis' papacy will be his groundbreaking encyclical Laudato Si. We are delighted to join Christian organisations from across the country to co-sponsor a webinar tomorrow evening to mark its 10-year anniversary.

🌎Join us on Wednesday 23rd April from 7.30-9pm for presentations and discussions organised by Laudato Si Animators in Scotland and the Laudato Si Movement to celebrate Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, and find out how you can take action for climate justice and carry on the Holy Father's work.

🗨️Speakers include Lorna Gold, Executive Director of Laudato Si’ Movement; Ben Wilson, Director of Public Engagement at SCIAF; James Buchanan, Climate Finance Campaign Manager at Laudato Si’ Movement; and Claudia Melis from Focolare.

👇Register to receive the joining information via the link in the comments below.

22Apr

The body of the late Pope Francis will be transferred to St

22 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The body of the late Pope Francis will be transferred to St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday at 9:00 AM to lie in state until his funeral on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM.

The Holy See Press Office announced on Tuesday that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the funeral Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.

The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis' soul.

The late Pope's body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the coffin containing the Pope’s body will be carried from the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer.

The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells into St. Peter’s Square and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.

At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.

21Apr

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

21 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

21Apr

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

21 Apr, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |