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

April 2025

24Apr

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

Holy Mass at the Underground Basilica of Saint Pius X on the HCPT Lourdes Pilgrimage this morning.

Main pic from left:
▪️Bishop Joseph Toal, Motherwell Diocese.
▪️Archbishop Leo Cushley, Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.
▪️Bishop Frank Dougan, RC Diocese of Galloway.

Pics: Elaine Furmage/HCPT

24Apr

Cercas: First and foremost, Pope Francis was a priest - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-04/cercas-first-and-foremost-pope-francis-was-a-priest.html

Spanish writer Javier Cercas, who has written a book on the Pope's visit to Mongolia, reflects on the Pope’s humanity and legacy.

24Apr

Novemdiales: Cardinals set schedule for nine days of mourning - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/novendiales-the-schedule-for-the-nine-days-of-mourning.html

Pope Francis' funeral Mass will mark the beginning of an ancient tradition of holding nine consecutive days of mourning, which will be marked by ...

23Apr

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

23Apr

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the sealing of Pope Francis' coffin i...

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

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of the sealing of Pope Francis' coffin in St. Peter's Basilica on Friday, April 25, at 8 PM, according to the Holy See Press Office.

23Apr

Photos from Our Lady of Fatima Parish's post

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

23Apr

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

23Apr

🕊Almost every time he spoke, Pope Francis rejected war, advocated for disarmament and promoted fraternity and peace

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

🕊Almost every time he spoke, Pope Francis rejected war, advocated for disarmament and promoted fraternity and peace. His final acts were to offer his own earthly suffering for that cause.

May we be forever be inspired by him, striving unceasingly to realise his vision for God's love, justice, and peace to engulf the world.

22Apr

Pope Francis will be interred in the Pauline Chapel of St Mary Major’s Basilica

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

Pope Francis will be interred in the Pauline Chapel of St Mary Major’s Basilica. Another Pope also interred there is Pope Clement VIII who founded the Pontifical Scots College in 1600

22Apr

Photos from RC Diocese of Galloway's post

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