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

12th August 2026

12 August 2026

Statement from the Bishops of Scotland on the Funeral of Ann Widdecombe

Today, the Requiem Mass of Ann Widdecombe, the former Member of the UK Parliament and Government minister, has taken place at Buckfast Abbey, where she was a regular worshipper.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, I offer our prayerful condolences to Ann’s family, friends and all who mourn her today. We join them in commending Ann’s soul to the loving mercy of God.

“Ann was a woman of sincere Catholic faith, sustained by prayer and the sacraments and was happy for her faith to be known publicly.’

“We pray that Christ welcomes her into the peace of His Kingdom."

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

April 2025

27Apr

Swinney 'very moved' after Pope's funeral in Rome

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

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r5xdpz2zvo

First Minister John Swinney is among the Scots who have travelled to the Italian capital for the ceremony.

26Apr

From the Office of Readings today

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

From the Office of Readings today
Therefore, it is with complete assurance that we receive the bread and wine as the body and blood of Christ. His body is given to us under the symbol of bread, and his blood is given to us under the symbol of wine, in order to make us by receiving them one body and blood with him. Having his body and blood in our members, we become bearers of Christ and sharers, as Saint Peter says, in the divine nature.

26Apr

PRAY FOR PEACE WITH POPE FRANCIS🙏

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

PRAY FOR PEACE WITH POPE FRANCIS🙏

POPE FRANCIS GATHERS THEM FOR PEACE

Since the funeral of the Supreme Pontiff is attended by most of the World Leaders, this brought them unplanned opportunities to talk to each other.

President Trump and President Zelensky talked to each other inside the Basilica of St Peter, peacefully.

Truly, the message of Peace from Pope Francis still remains.

Let us pray for the peace of the World. Amen.

26Apr

Pope Francis’ life recalled in Deed placed in coffin - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-deed-rogito-coffin-life-petrine-ministry.html

The Deed for the Pious Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis has been placed in his coffin, which was sealed in a solemn rite ahead of his Requiem ...

26Apr

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

25Apr

The Holy See

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

Visiting the official website of the Holy See one can browse: the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiffs (from Pope Leo XIII to Pope Francis); the fundamental texts of Catholicism in various languages (the Sacred Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the documents of the Second Vatican Council a...

25Apr

Pope Francis’ coffin to be sealed in rite on Friday evening - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-coffin-rite-sealing-funeral-mass-novemdiales.html

Pope Francis’ coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite held in St. Peter’s Basilica on Friday, April 25, at 8:00 PM.

25Apr

Those who are “last” will be the last to say goodbye - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/those-who-are-last-will-be-the-last-to-say-goodbye.html

Our Editorial Director, Andrea Tornielli, reflects on the initiative for several people from the margins of society to welcome Pope Francis' mortal ...

25Apr

Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St

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

Pope Francis’ tomb in the Basilica of St. Mary Major has been made with materials from the Italian region of Liguria. It is a simple tomb bearing only the inscription “Franciscus” and a reproduction of the late Pope’s pectoral cross.

The tomb is located near the Altar of St. Francis, in the niche of the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Salus Populi Romani Chapel) and the Sforza Chapel.

Speaking on television, the Coadjutor Archpriest of the Basilica, Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, announced Pope Francis’ desire to be buried in a tomb made from the “stone of Liguria, the land of his grandparents.”

24Apr

Cardinals meet for third General Congregation

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