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

30th July 2026

30 July 2026

Bishop Welcomes Prime Minister’s Call to Prioritise Care Reforms Before Westminster Assisted Suicide Vote

Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop with responsibility for Marriage, Family and Life for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for the serious gaps in palliative and social care to be addressed before the Westminster Parliament considers assisted suicide legislation.

Bishop Keenan said:

“The Prime Minister’s intervention is both timely and welcome. We have a duty to ensure that every person approaching the end of life has access to the compassionate palliative and social care they deserve. No one should ever feel driven towards assisted suicide because they lack the care, support or dignity they need.

“We were grateful that the Scottish Parliament resolutely rejected assisted suicide only recently. We hope this latest intervention will encourage Members of the Westminster Parliament to reflect carefully before taking a step that would fundamentally change the way our society cares for the sick and vulnerable.

“As our Catholic Parliamentary Officer, Anthony Horan, has rightly said: ‘The last thing the country needs is another divisive debate about assisted suicide. We need to make progress in improving palliative and social care, not offering vulnerable people state support to end their lives.’ I share that conviction wholeheartedly.

“This is an opportunity to rethink the whole approach to assisted suicide. The compassionate response to suffering is never to help people end their lives, but to ensure they receive the high-quality care, love and accompaniment they need. Let us pray for all who are seriously ill, for their families and carers, and for those in public office, that they may always uphold the dignity of every human life and work to build a society that truly cares for its most vulnerable members.”

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

May 2026

24May

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

24 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Earlier this week, people gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh for Sung Vespers and prayers for peace in the Holy Land.

Archbishop Cushley reflected on his recent visit to the Holy Land, saying: “I got to see how people of goodwill just want peace. Our Church is present there, and it is through charities like Friends of the Holy Land that we are able to reach out and help them.”

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land, spoke of the importance of prayer and solidarity with Christian communities across the region, highlighting the ecumenical nature of the charity’s work.

The exhibition ‘50 Faces of the Holy Land’ continues to be on display at St Mary’s Cathedral this week.

24May

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection: 24 May 2026

24 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection: 24 May 2026

24May

A wonderful evening of music took place at Motherwell Cathedral as the Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes were joined by the Can...

24 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A wonderful evening of music took place at Motherwell Cathedral as the Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes were joined by the Cantabile Ensemble for a special concert in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral.

The evening brought together talented musicians of all ages, including the orchestra’s Young Learners, whose performance highlighted the next generation of young musicians.

24May

Gospel

24 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 20:19-23
‘As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit.’

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’

24May

What is Fairtrade?

24 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Fairtrade is more than a label on your coffee or bananas - it’s a way to make trade work better for the people behind our favourite products. It involves working with small-scale farmers and workers around the world to build a fairer trade system - one where they can earn a decent income, work in safe conditions, and invest in their futures as they see fit. Perhaps plan something for Fairtrade Fortnight? (21st September – 4th October 2026)

#LaudatoSiWeek2026

Buying Fairtrade is easy. There are almost 5,000 Fairtrade products from coffee and tea to flowers and gold. When you shop, look for the FAIRTRADE Mark.

23May

Pentecost Vigil from St Margaret's Cathedral, Ayr

23 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pentecost Vigil from St Margaret's Cathedral, Ayr

23May

Young people from Sacred Heart & Saint Lucy's Cumbernauld, have been preparing for Pentecost in a beautiful way, with the Confir...

23 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Young people from Sacred Heart & Saint Lucy's Cumbernauld, have been preparing for Pentecost in a beautiful way, with the Confirmandi visiting each classroom to lead the novena prayer between Ascension and Pentecost.

A wonderful witness of faith, prayer and leadership from the young people of the parish as they continue their journey towards Confirmation. 🙏

23May

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

23 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

As well as saving energy in our own homes, we also have a duty to save energy in our church buildings. Places of worship use energy primarily for heating and lighting, so even small changes can make a significant difference to both costs and our care for creation. Many simple, low-cost measures can help reduce heat loss, improve efficiency, and make our churches more sustainable without major disruption or expense.

This resource offers Ten Top Tips for Saving Energy in Your Church, including practical advice on reducing draughts, using heating more efficiently, switching to LED lighting, improving insulation, preventing damp, and encouraging everyone who uses our parish buildings to play their part.

23May

Gospel

23 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 21:20-25
‘This is the disciple who has written these things, and his testimony is true.’

At that time: Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!’ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers and sisters that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?’
This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

22May

Bishops Conference of Scotland > Our Work > Promoting Respect and Care for Human Life > Care of Creation

22 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Office for the Care of Creation was established by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland in 2021. Inspired by Pope Francis’ documents Laudato si' and Laudate Deum, the office provides advice, support, and guidance to dioceses and parishes as they assess their carbon footprint and discern practical ways to work towards carbon neutrality.

The office also works closely with organisations including Eco-Congregation Scotland, SCIAF, and Justice & Peace Scotland on issues affecting both local communities and the wider global family. Through collaboration, education, advocacy, and practical initiatives, the office seeks to help Catholics across Scotland respond to the call to care for our common home with faith, responsibility, and hope.

Find out more about the work of the Care of Creation Office here:

The Office for the Care of Creation was established by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland in 2021. Inspired by Pope Francis’ documents Laudato si and Laudate Deum , it provides advice and guidance to dioceses and parishes to assess their carbon footprint and discern how to work towards carbon n...