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

19Apr

The Easter holidays are a perfect time to pause, pray, and explore some of Scotland’s rich Catholic heritage

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

The Easter holidays are a perfect time to pause, pray, and explore some of Scotland’s rich Catholic heritage.

Here are some special places where faith, history, and beauty come together:

📍St Ninian’s Cave and Whithorn Priory

Walk the quiet coastal path to the cave where St Ninian, Scotland’s first known Christian missionary, is said to have prayed. Nearby, explore the ruins of Whithorn Priory — a powerful reminder of over 1,600 years of Christian faith in the area.

📍 The Whithorn Trust

Step inside the visitor centre and museum to see artefacts from centuries of pilgrimage. A brilliant stop for families wanting to connect with Scotland’s Christian story.

📍St Columba’s, Largs

Nestled by the sea, this welcoming parish is a peaceful place to visit, light a candle, and reflect — perhaps followed by a stroll along the promenade with views across to Cumbrae.

📍Carfin Grotto, Motherwell

Sometimes called “Scotland’s Lourdes”, this prayerful shrine offers Stations of the Cross, Rosary paths, and a peaceful grotto — a perfect space for quiet prayer or a family pilgrimage.

📍St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Glasgow

A beautiful and historic cathedral on the banks of the Clyde, with a peaceful atmosphere and regular Masses for visitors.

📍St Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh Castle

The oldest building in Edinburgh, tucked inside the castle walls, and built in honour of St Margaret of Scotland — a saint, queen, and mother known for her compassion and faith.

📍St Andrew’s Cathedral, St Andrews (Fife)

Although now in ruins, this was once the largest church in Scotland — a place of immense historical and spiritual significance. Take a walk through the remains and imagine the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims.

This Eastertide, let your holidays include a step closer to the saints, the history of our faith, and Christ Himself. Where will your journey take you?

19Apr

As we prepare to celebrate the triumph of the Lord's Resurrection at the Easter Vigil in parishes across the Diocese, Bishop Toa...

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

As we prepare to celebrate the triumph of the Lord's Resurrection at the Easter Vigil in parishes across the Diocese, Bishop Toal offers his Easter Message to the people of the Diocese.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee Year there can be no day more hope-filled than Easter Sunday as we celebrate with great joy the Lord’s Resurrection. May the Risen Lord Jesus therefore renew our faith, fill us with great hope, and inspire further acts of Christian love and service.

A special word of welcome to those received into the Church this Easter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you experience the power of the Lord’s presence in the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. May your participation in Christ and his Church sustain you constantly now in the pilgrimage of life.

As we continue to hear of the ravages of war and of the terror felt by many in our troubled world we pray earnestly for peace and justice, for forgiveness and healing, for a respite from fear and a glimmer of hope.

We pray that the Lord of New Life will keep us and our loved ones safe in his care and bring consolation to all in pain.

With my Easter blessing and good wishes,

+ Joseph Toal

19Apr

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

Images of Mary the sorrowful mother and the hopeful mother awaiting the resurrection of Her Son🙏

18Apr

From the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening

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

From the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening
We have walked the Stations of the Cross. We have turned towards the love from which nothing can ever separate us. Now, as the King sleeps and a great silence descends upon all the earth, let us pray, in the words of Saint Francis, for the gift of heartfelt conversion:
“Most High and glorious God, Cast your light into the darkness of my heart. Grant me right faith, firm hope, perfect charity, and profound humility. Grant me, Lord, wisdom and understanding, so that I may do your true and holy will. Amen.”

18Apr

Pope’s Via Crucis meditations: Embrace God’s economy in a world of algorithms - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-via-crucis-meditations-easter-2025-god-s-economy.html

In his meditations written for the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum—presided over this evening, 18 April, by Cardinal Baldo Reina on ...

18Apr

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

Betrayed by a kiss. Raised up in glory 🙏

18Apr

✝️ We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world

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

✝️ We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You because by Your holy cross, You have redeemed the world.

📸Archbishop Nolan celebrates Mass at Mount Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem, in January of this year and Anne-Marie, our Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer, reads from Paul's letter to the Philippians:

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

17Apr

Can't celebrate the Triduum in person?

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

Can't celebrate the Triduum in person? You can join Bishop Frank for all of the Triduum liturgies live from St Margaret's Cathedral, Ayr, on our Diocesan YouTube channel: https://buff.ly/VyRWNoj

Looking for Triduum liturgies near you? Head over to our website to find Masses and Services near you: https://buff.ly/LG1QztL

17Apr

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

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

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
Today we begin the Easter Triduum, the shortest but most important Liturgical Season. This evening we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, his agony and betrayal in the garden. Tomorrow we commemorate his passion, death and burial while at Easter we celebrate his glorious Resurrection. Let us enter fully into the Triduum through personal contemplation, family prayer and participating at the Ceremonies in our parishes. May all our hearts be touched by the Lord’s love and may our own love be deepened so that we will enter more fully into the Paschal Mystery
+Brian

17Apr

✝️Today we begin the Paschal Triduum with the The Lord's Supper and the celebration of the Institution of the Eucharist

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

✝️Today we begin the Paschal Triduum with the The Lord's Supper and the celebration of the Institution of the Eucharist.

Over the next few days of the Triduum, we will share photographs taken at the locations in the Holy Land commemorating the sites of our Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection. These photographs and accompanying scripture can be used to reflect, pray and journey with Jesus over these most holy of days. Our first image and reflection is from the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed after his last meal with his disciples.

📖Matthew 26: 36 - 41: "Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’ Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not stay awake with me one hour?'"

📸Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, Jerusalem.