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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

December 2024

12Dec

Catholic to represent King at Church of Scotland General Assembly

12 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/catholic-to-represent-king-at-church-of-scotland-general-assembly-tctvzl530

Lady Elish Angiolini, who was born in Glasgow and has Irish heritage, says her appointment as Lord High Commissioner is a “fabulously significant gesture”

12Dec

Lady Elish Angiolini appointed as Lord High Commissioner to the 2025 General Assembly

12 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/

A trailblazing lawyer who was Scotland’s first female Lord Advocate has been appointed Lord High Commissioner to the 2025 General Assembly of the...

12Dec

Jubilee 2025 Opening Mass with the Holy Father in St Peter's Square on December 24 at 7pm

12 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.iubilaeum2025.va/en/notizie/comunicati/2024/Giubileo-24-dicembre-alle-19-messa-apertura-con-santo-padre-piazza-san-pietro.html#:~:text=The%202025%20Jubilee%20will%20officially,the%20Holy%20Door%20will%20follow.

The 2025 Jubilee will officially open on December 24, 2024, at 7pm with a Mass presided over by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square. The rite of the ...

12Dec

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Experience of Cuauhtlatohuac

12 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/our-lady-of-guadalupe/

The Blessed Virgin’s appearance at Tepeyac to Saint Juan Diego in 1531, was the beginning of a beautiful story of God’s and Mary’s love and care for the peoples of Mexico. As Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Blessed Virgin was named patroness of all of the Americas in 2003.

12Dec

The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh runs a Diploma in Catechetics that begins in January

12 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh runs a Diploma in Catechetics that begins in January. All are welcome to register.

11Dec

Loreto or Bust: U.S

11 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.ncregister.com/features/loreto-or-bust-bishop-kevin-rhoades
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Loreto

What began as a simple pilgrimage to the Holy House of Loreto for Bishop Kevin Rhoades turned into a memorable Marian ordeal.

11Dec

BCOS Meeting 5th December 2024 Online- please share

11 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

BCOS Meeting 5th December 2024 Online- please share
The Bishops’ Conference met for its regular online meeting on the 5th Dec 2024. Archbishop Cushley began the meeting with an account of the successful visit of Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, to Edinburgh the previous weekend. His Eminence gave an emotional description of those suffering in the Holy Land during the present conflict and the plight of the Church especially in Gaza and the West Bank.
Bishop Keenan opened the ordinary business of the meeting with a discussion on the procedures for the selection of candidates for the episcopacy. This is the theme of one of the Synodal Working Groups. There was a consensus that clergy and laity should be consulted as part of the structural process.
The Bishops also considered media and evangelisation and how social media could best be employed by BCOS. Bishop Dougan agreed to take this discussion forward with stakeholders. In the field of Catholic education, the Bishops expressed concern at the falling numbers of Catholic teachers and how this might be remedied. A scholarship to highlight the contribution of Catholic education in Scotland was also suggested for a candidate to undertake at the School of Education of Glasgow University. Archbishop Cushley and Bishop Gilbert spoke about recent discussions with the Scottish Episcopal Church Bishops.
Bishop McGee reported on the publication of the Synodal document in English and it was agreed that the Bishops would meet for an extraordinary meeting in Feb 2024 to outline a way forward for synodality at national, diocesan and parish levels. He also mentioned the proposed updates to In God’s Image V2 and the recent National Safeguarding Conference held at Strathclyde University.
Bishop Keenan spoke about the launch of a national resource for marriage preparation and also the provision of marriage counselling. The Bishops supported Bishop Keenan’s recent statement regarding the membership of the Abortion Review Group of the Scottish Parliament. The one-sided make-up of this consultation had been highlighted to the First Minister John Swinney at the recent meeting at Bute House. The Church will make it views known more in-depth as part of the consultation.
The Conference also exchanged views on priestly formation and ongoing formation, taking into account the proposed Pastoral Year and Vocational Synthesis for seminarians. A short history of the Catholic Church in Scotland has been written by Fr Briody of Motherwell Diocese and it was agreed to integrate this within the BCOS website as a concise and informative introduction to the Church in Scotland. Finally, there was a brief reminder of the 700th anniversary celebrations of the presence of the Scottish Catholic Church in France and Bishop Keenan was happy to be nominated as the new Bishop Chaplain of the Union of Catholic Mothers.

11Dec

🚨NEWS: Justice & Peace Scotland together with the Church of Scotland urge MSPs not to penalise vulnerable groups for political g...

11 Dec, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🚨NEWS: Justice & Peace Scotland together with the Church of Scotland urge MSPs not to penalise vulnerable groups for political gain ahead of a planned debate today in the Scottish Parliament.

🚌Debate is expected this afternoon on the 2025-2026 budget provision to honour promises made to introduce free bus travel for people seeking asylum.

📰Read the full story on our website: justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk

10Dec

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have released the following statement in response to the Scottish Government's commitment to...

10 Dec, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have released the following statement in response to the Scottish Government's commitment to lift the two-child benefit cap.

10Dec

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:

10 Dec, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📰 BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO END THE TWO-CHILD BENEFIT CAP:

"The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish Government’s vow to lift the two-child benefit cap, which could potentially result in benefits being paid out to families of 15,000 children. The bishops look forward to seeing more detail on how the Scottish Government intends to lift the cap and hope that it will be lifted as quickly as possible to allow more children and families to receive support they so badly need."

Scotland's bishops along with Justice & Peace Scotland have long been opposed to the UK government policy which unjustly targets families who are most in need.

Image credit: CBCEW

#JandPScotland