The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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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Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

October 2024

09Oct

UN: Famine and disease spreading in Sudan - Vatican News

09 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-10/devastating-airstrike-in-sudan-claims-lives-of-13-children.html

Escalating violence in Sudan is claiming numerous lives, with children particularly at deadly risk from ongoing airstrikes, famine, and severe hunger. ...

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09Oct

Bernini’s baldacchino to be unveiled on October 27 - Vatican News

09 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/baldachin-st-peters-pope-francis-basilica-unveiling.html

After 8 months under scaffolding, Pope Francis will inaugurate the newly refurbished baldacchino with a Mass—also signaling the end of the Synod.

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09Oct

Pope at Audience: The Holy Spirit expands and unites the Church - Vatican News

09 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-at-audience-holy-spirit-expands-and-unites-the-church.html

Pope Francis highlights the Holy Spirit's role in expanding the Church's mission to all peoples while fostering unity from within.

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08Oct

This morning we joined our new Small Groups for the Second Module

08 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This morning we joined our new Small Groups for the Second Module. It’s almost like the first day at a new school, looking around to see who is there! Anyway this time I’m the only member living in the West so that should make for rich sharing and learning.
Last week’s module reflected on the foundations of Synodality including spirituality and theology. The next three modules should identify practical steps to ensure the implementation of synodal practices at every level of Church life - parishes, dioceses, nationally, lay movements, Religious Orders and universally. So the emphasis is now firmly on HOW the Church can better live synodally.
This second module focusses on Relationships while the next two will be Pathways and then Places. Relationships includes (but not restricted to) our relationship with God; the charisms and ministries among all the baptised; relations with each other e.g. bishops and priests, laity and clergy, among clergy, among parishioners, Religious, ecumenically, Inter-Faith and secular society. The method we are using is Conversation in the Spirit, similar to last year but with some changes. Tomorrow I will explain how it works.
+Brian

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08Oct

Synod Briefing - Day 5: Embracing pain of people suffering from war - Vatican News

08 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/synod-briefing-day-5-day-prayer-peace-fasting-peace.html

The press briefing on day 5 of the Synod General Assembly reveals that participants marked the Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace with a special ...

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07Oct

We finished our first module today

07 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

We finished our first module today. As Secretary for our Small Group I was responsible for keeping notes and then writing our Report. All went well, the Report was unanimously approved and everyone left except for the Rapporteur who was then to submit it. Suddenly I couldn’t find the file on my computer and absolute panic set in! Thankfully the Rapporteur eventually discovered it and our Report was safely submitted. I arrived home late for lunch but boy, did I enjoy my carbonara😀
This year our purpose is to discern HOW the Church can become more synodal in its mission. What practical steps need to be taken? This first module examined the foundations of synodality- theology, spirituality, activity etc. Our Small Group had representatives from 6 continents so the experiences shared were varied and enriching. It is a joy to see the Spirit at work in every part of the world.
+Brian

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07Oct

Today we began work in earnest in our Small Groups

07 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today we began work in earnest in our Small Groups. I appreciate that some will consider the Synodal process to be a mere talking shop and that nothing will come of it. Time alone will tell. However, we must remember that our purpose is to discern God’s Will. Listening and attentiveness to God takes time. We go at the Lord’s pace and not our own.
We started this process in our parishes back in 2021. Small groups of parishioners met to reflect and share. The Church listened to what you said along with similar voices from across Scotland, Europe and the Universal Church. Since 2021 there have been several further rounds which deepened those initial reflections.
At the end of Last October’s Assembly we presented the Holy Father with a Synthesis Report which contained recommendations. Some of them needed further theological and canonical study before decisions could be made. Pope Francis established 10 Working Groups to study some recommendations in depth. We received the initial reports yesterday and it is hoped that they will present their work to Pope France by the end of June 2025. That will enable concrete decisions to be taken as the Pope judges best. Here are a list of the Working Groups - not all will seem immediately relevant but we must remember that the Church is wider than our parishes and indeed even Scotland!
(i) Ecumenism (ii) Cry of the Poor (iii) Relations between Eastern Catholic and Latin Churches
(iv) Relationship between charismatic and hierarchical ministries, including the role of women
(V) Bishops, including a synodal method of selection (vi) Relationship between bishop, religious and ecclesial movements (vii) Formation in synodality(viii) How does love and truth relate? - working synodally in dogma and difficult moral issues (ix) Digital Mission (x) Nuncios
+Brian

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07Oct

Today Pope Francis invited the Synod participants to join him in praying the Rosary for peace in St Mary Major Basilica

07 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today Pope Francis invited the Synod participants to join him in praying the Rosary for peace in St Mary Major Basilica. The Holy Father has also asked that tomorrow, 7th October and the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel with all the terrible suffering which has followed, be a day of prayer and fasting for peace. Several participants in my Small Groups are from the Middle East and other troubled countries. Listening to their and others’ experiences is moving and disturbing. I marvel at their courage in even being here. Humanity is capable of so much good and beauty but also of dark depravity. Many conflicts are complex with long painful histories. Solutions may seem impossible but never for God. Please join the Pope tomorrow in prayer and fasting for we all need hearts melted by Christ’s love that will work for peace, justice and reconciliation.
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us.
+Brian

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06Oct

Pope Francis leads Rosary prayer for peace for ‘world in danger’ - Vatican News

06 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Francis leads the recitation of a Rosary for peace at the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and prays that violence and hatred may be extinguished from ...

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06Oct

Patriarch Pizzaballa: 'A year after October 7 we implore peace' - Vatican News

06 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-10/pizzaballa-a-year-after-october-7-we-call-for-peace-for-humanity.html

Ahead of the day of prayer and fasting for peace called by Pope Francis, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, shares ...

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