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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
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6 July 2024
Dear Prime Minister
On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland and the Scottish Catholic community, may I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. I was pleased to note your intent to create a government of service to all and wish you well in this noble endeavour.
The Bishops of Scotland are acutely aware of the challenges our country, and the wider world, currently face, not least the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Holy Land, and the continuing difficulties faced by the poorest and most vulnerable in our society.
May I assure you, your family, and the government you lead, of my prayers as you confront these many challenges.

Yours sincerely,

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President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland



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🌱SEASON OF CREATION CONFERENCE 2024

Join the Bishops' Conference of Scotland's Care For Creation Office for the Season Of Creation Conference 2024.

📅Sat 7th September 2024
📍St. Margaret’s, Raploch, Stirling
📝Booking is essential but free: tinyurl.com/46wmt9ah

The Season of Creation is the annual Christian celebration to pray and respond together to the cry of Creation. This year's theme is "hope and act for creation". The Care of Creation Office is hosting the Conference to allow parishioners from across the country to come together and explore how we may hope and act for creation in our own dioceses and parishes and how we can act on the message of Pope Francis to care for our common home.

➡️Share with any interested friends, parishioners, parish groups and Laudato Si networks - and we hope to see you on Sat 7th September!

Many thanks everyone,



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“This Is a Sin That Cries to Heaven for Vengeance”: His Beatitude Sviatoslav Condemns Russian Missile Attack on Okhmatdyt
On July 8, the Russian aggressor launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Notably, one of the buildings of the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital and a private maternity hospital in Kyiv were hit. The Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, called this crime by Russia “a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance.”
“It is horrifying to see that the children who came to save their lives in the artificial kidney center were ruthlessly killed by Russian criminals,” said the Head of the UGCC with deep sadness. Many of them, according to him, were on the verge of death – they were under artificial lung ventilation devices. Many were undergoing surgery at the time. The power outage put their lives in danger.
“In the name of God, with all our resolve, we condemn this crime against humanity,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. “It is not only a crime against human laws and rules, international rules of warfare. This is a sin that cries for vengeance to heaven, according to Christian morality.”
The Head of the UGCC urged all people of good will to join in condemning the crime and do everything possible to stop and prosecute the aggressor.
“Today we cry with all the victims, we pray for all the perished, especially the innocent children. We want to wrap all the wounded with our Christian love, all those who are hurting the most,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
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