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

May 2025

24May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

24 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

24May

✨🌎Today we celebrate 10 years of Laudato Si'!

24 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

✨🌎Today we celebrate 10 years of Laudato Si'!

A decade ago we began a journey of hope, prayer and action for our Common Home. Pope Francis taught us that “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.” Protecting creation is not a side project but an core interest for the faithful.

Today, ask yourself: How can I live this vocation more fully in my daily actions? To mark ten years of Laudato Si and to honour the legacy of Pope Francis let's commit commit to one concrete change:
♻️ Reduce single-use plastic
👖 Rethink fast fashion
🚶 Walk or cycle more
🌱 Plant native flowers or herbs
🛒 Support ethical, local producers
✍️Campaign for an end to fossil fuel use with a just transition for workers

🙏 Let’s live Laudato Si’ together with courage, compassion, and care for God's creation.

23May

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

23 May, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📸Justice & Peace Relaunch Gathering in Motherwell Diocese.

What a great turn out for last night's mass and dialogue event on how justice and peace activity can be relaunched in the Diocese of Motherwell.

A special thank you to Bishop Toal for asking us to organise this event and to Paul Foley, the new Motherwell representative at Justice & Peace Scotland. If you are based in the diocese and want to know more, get in touch with Paul on: [email protected]

If you would like support to start or refresh justice and peace work in your diocese or parish, please get in touch with us - we are more than happy to help and available to travel across the country.

23May

Fr Vincent Lockhart Director of Missio in Scotland met Pope Leo at the Missio AGM in Rome this morning

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

Fr Vincent Lockhart Director of Missio in Scotland met Pope Leo at the Missio AGM in Rome this morning

23May

Bishops' Conference of Scotland Care of Creation Office and various other Christian organisations invite you to join us during L...

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

Bishops' Conference of Scotland Care of Creation Office and various other Christian organisations invite you to join us during Laudato Si Week 2025 for "Raising Hope", a special online event to celebrate the Jubilee Year and to reflect on a decade of Laudato Si and its legacy in light of the death of Pope Francis.

We are delighted to welcome Bishop John Arnold of Salford Diocese, the Spokesperson for the Environment of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. It will be a wonderful opportunity to listen and dialogue with Bishop John as we seek to read the signs of the times in the context of Laudato Si' and be Pilgrims of Hope.

DETAILS

🗓️Friday 30th May

🕖7.00PM - 8.30PM

⬇️Click here to register and receive access.

23May

With Laudato Si', Pope Francis firmly planted ecology into Catholic social teaching

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

https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/laudato-si-pope-francis-firmly-planted-ecology-catholic-social-teaching

The Catholic Church marks the 10th anniversary of "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home" May 24th and reflects on Pope Francis' legacy of calling for eco...

23May

Gaza: Catholic parish struggling to survive | ICN

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

https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52441

The only Catholic parish in Gaza City has been forced to radically cut back on the aid it provides because of the three-month aid blockade, which was only (partially) lifted yesterday. Father Gabriel Romanelli told Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the parish has reduced resou...

23May

In his second week, Pope Leo moves on his ambitious agenda

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

https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/his-second-week-pope-leo-moves-his-ambitious-agenda

As Pope Leo settles into the job, he signals what's ahead for the new papacy, taking action on the vision he sketched out in a 500-word speech.

23May

What is happening to the children of Haiti?

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-05/confiance-haiti-ngo-education-children-gang-poverty-crisis-2025.html

As gang violence spirals in Haiti, children are being pulled from classrooms and into chaos. Confiance Haiti is on the frontline, offering education, ...

23May

Council of Nicaea: A light on path of understanding the faith - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-05/light-on-the-path-of-understanding-the-faith.html

A conference in Rome studies the International Theological Commission's document, “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour: 1,700th anniversary of the ...