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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

February 2025

23Feb

Pope at Gemelli hospital: Respiratory crisis on Saturday morning - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-at-gemelli-hospital-respiratory-crisis-in-the-morning.html
Let us pray for the recovery of our Holy Father🙏

Although more fatigued, Pope Francis spends Saturday sitting in an armchair, as blood transfusions were necessary and the prognosis remains guarded.

22Feb

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

22Feb

Photos from Motherwell Diocese's post

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

22Feb

Rather than placing the Jubilee Cross on the Cathedral Sanctuary we decided that it should be accessible to all

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

Rather than placing the Jubilee Cross on the Cathedral Sanctuary we decided that it should be accessible to all. Therefore, our Cross stands beside the Baptismal Font where each visitor can venerate it, including by embrace or kiss. After Morning Mass we process together as Pilgrims of Hope to the Cross for veneration. Jesus revealed the depth of his love for us on the Cross, from which our hope springs. I will be celebrating a Jubilee Mass of Hope in each Deanery to which I will bring the Jubilee Cross, after which each parish will host the Cross for a short period. This will allow the entire diocese to be united in our shared pilgrimage, finding hope in God’s love which shines upon us from the Cross.
+Brian

22Feb

Chair of Saint Peter | Franciscan Media

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

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/chair-of-saint-peter/
Prayers for Pope Francis on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter🙏

Every cathedral has a “cathedra,” a bishop’s chair that is used only by the bishop when he presides in the cathedral. It’s a symbol of his authority as chief teacher and liturgist of the diocese. So, today we celebrate the authority of the chief bishop, Saint Peter and his successors, the po...

19Feb

"The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers."

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

"The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers."

The Holy See Press Office released an update on Pope Francis' health on Wednesday evening. It described the Holy Father's condition as "stable."

Continuing, the statement explained the Pope had breakfast in the morning and then "engaged in work activities with his closest collaborators. Before lunch, he received the Eucharist."

In the afternoon, Pope Francis received "a visit from the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, with whom he privately spent 20 minutes."

19Feb

A statement from the Vatican today has announced that Pope Francis is being treated for bilateral pneumonia

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

A statement from the Vatican today has announced that Pope Francis is being treated for bilateral pneumonia. The Holy Father has asked that you continue to pray for him. 🙏

Statement:
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”

“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits.”

The Press Office statement concludes by noting that the Pope had "received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”

19Feb

The annual Day of Prayer for those who have experienced abuse in the Church is observed in Scotland on the first Friday of Lent ...

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

The annual Day of Prayer for those who have experienced abuse in the Church is observed in Scotland on the first Friday of Lent - Friday 7th March 2025. Resources are circulated by Diocesan offices to support the provision of specific prayers and liturgies in parish churches and faith communities across Scotland.
Bishops' Conference of Scotland Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese of Glasgow Motherwell Diocese Diocese of Galloway RC Diocese of Aberdeen Diocese of Paisley Diocese of Argyll & the Isles

17Feb

A new generation of saints?

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

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/262189/a-new-generation-of-saints-6-young-millennials-on-the-road-to-sainthood

Six young people who lived with deep faith and committed their lives to the Church that Jesus founded are on their way to being proclaimed saints.

17Feb

Pope’s health stable as he continues treatment in hospital - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-francis-matteo-bruni-health-hospital.html

The Holy See Press Office releases an update on Pope Francis' health as he is treated for a respiratory infection in hospital, saying that he rested ...