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

Empty
Click + to add content

News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2025

24Jan

📜HOLY LAND COORDINATION 2025: FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ

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

📜HOLY LAND COORDINATION 2025: FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ

✍️Our visit to Jerusalem and the West Bank has concluded with the issuing of the annual Holy Land Coordination Communiqué. The statement for 2025 addresses the announcement of a ceasefire, the impact of both the war and the ongoing occupation on Palestinians in the West Bank, and highlights the invaluable contributions that the Christian communities make to the fields of healthcare and education. It is signed by bishops from the UK, Germany, Spain, USA, and Iceland, including by Archbishop Nolan. Some excerpts from the statement are quoted below followed by a link to read the full text.

💬"We came to the Holy Land, this Jubilee Year, as pilgrims of hope. We came in hope that a fragile ceasefire agreement, announced as we travelled here, would hold. We came looking forward to those, in both Israel and Palestine, who have suffered the atrocities of violence and war, being able to rebuild their shattered lives, to mourn the loss of their loved ones, to come together again as families and to start on the long, uncertain road to recovery..."

💬"The impact of war on the whole West Bank is rarely reported at home. We have
been privileged to listen first-hand to several communities of Christians in the West Bank. To them we wish to say:
'Thank you for the most generous welcome you extended towards us; for helping us understand the extraordinary efforts being made in the fields of healthcare and education to preserve the dignity of all those living in the West Bank. Your communities are a light in the darkness of a suffering Land. We were moved to hear how often Christians expressed their commitment to stay and rebuild the lives of their people...'".

🔗Read the Holy Land Coordination 2025 Final Communiqué in full here: www.theholyland.org.uk/final-communique-of-the-holy-land-co-ordination-18-23-january-2025/

24Jan

LEGACY OF LOVE

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

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RCtpCqE4wvRawfPc_fUpMImNOnWzIoxW9zRoyeNMq8w/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0 Read all about this parish initiative.

LEGACY OF LOVE Two parishioners of St Columbkille's Church Rutherglen took on the task of writing a much-needed local historical account of this iconic Church. When the project started in 1998 little did the writers know that it would take five years to produce this gem of a book which in...

24Jan

📜HOLY LAND COORDINATION 2025: FINAL COMMUNIQUÉ

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

24Jan

Final Communique of the Holy Land Co-ordination 18-23 January 2025 - Catholic Bishops' Conference

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

‘A lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.’ 2 Peter 1:19 We came to the Holy Land, this Jubilee Year, as pilgrims of hope. We came in hope that a fragile ceasefire agreement, announced as we travelled here, would hold. We came looking forward ...

24Jan

🙏

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

🙏

24Jan

Saint Francis de Sales | Franciscan Media

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

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-de-sales/

Saint Francis de Sales was born into a senatorial family where he was destined to work in government positions of authority. Instead, he felt a call to the priesthood and was ordained for the Diocese of Geneva.

23Jan

Photos from Diocese of Motherwell Schools Singing Programme 's post

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

23Jan

Pope Francis speaks to Catholics in Gaza parish after ceasefire

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

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-middle-east/2025/01/pope-francis-speaks-to-catholics-in-gaza-parish-after-ceasefire

Pope Francis said the people who have been trapped in a parish in Gaza had a decent meal for the first time in a long time, after a ceasefire was established between Israel and Hamas.

23Jan

Italian nun Raffaella Petrini to head Vatican Governorate

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

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/261691/italian-nun-raffaella-petrini-to-head-vatican-governorate

In less than a month and a half, Pope Francis will install Franciscan nun Raffaella Petrini as head of the General Secretariat of the Government of the Vatican City State.

22Jan

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

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