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.

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

October 2024

20Oct

Strathclyde Diamond Jubilee Town and Gown Lecture Series

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Strathclyde Diamond Jubilee Town and Gown Lecture Series
Professor Sir Harry Burns: 'Conflict or Compassion: How do we choose?'
Wednesday 23 October, 18:00
The Social Hub Glasgow, 15 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1TQ, UKhttps://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/burnsharrysir/

In 2024, we celebrate Strathclyde’s Diamond Jubilee – 60 years since the granting of our Royal Charter. In the penultimate lecture of the Town and Gown series, Professor Sir Harry Burns will discuss the science of how our experiences determine how our brains work and how we value ourselves and others. As well as examine the societal conflicts that divide us—whether between social classes or in the current turmoil in the Middle East. What kind of world could we create if we chose care and compassion over exploitation and violence?

Sir Harry is renowned for addressing the link between poverty and ill health. He started his career in general surgery at Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary, before becoming Medical Director, and between 2005 and 2014, was Chief Medical Officer for Scotland.

This event is free to attend, but registration is required. Please note this event will not be recorded.

Please register here.
Enquiries to [email protected]

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20Oct

Cup of Salvation: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/cup-of-salvation-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-twenty-ninth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

The sons of Zebedee hardly know what they’re asking in today’s Gospel. They are thinking in terms of how the Gentiles rule, of royal privileges and honors.But the road to Christ’s kingdom is by way of His Cross. To share in His glory, we must be willing to drink the cup that He drinks.

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20Oct

The Holy Spirit is still at work in the Church: An interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory - Vatican News

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In this interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., speaks about the meaning of synodality, the Church’s ...

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20Oct

On the night before the Synod began I prayed at the tomb of St Catherine of Siena seeking her intercession

20 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

On the night before the Synod began I prayed at the tomb of St Catherine of Siena seeking her intercession. You may remember that before I left Oban I began a novena to St Thérèse of Lisieux for the exact same reason. Rome is full of tombs and Churches dedicated to saints: Our Lady, St Peter, St Paul, St Monica, St Charles Borromeo, St Ignatius of Loyola, St Philip Neri, Popes John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II and many others. During weekends I have visited many Churches to seek the intercession of these and other saints buried or dedicated there. Why? The Communion of Saints. The saints are part of the Church but are now sharing in the glory of Christ in heaven. They have clarity regarding what life is about and they love us, therefore they want to intercede on our behalf. I am aware of the importance of this Synod and my own limitations and therefore it seems natural to me to seek the intercession of my brothers and sisters in heaven. Furthermore, this Synod does not exist in isolation but is part of a long history of many gatherings of Councils and Synods. It is important to remember that what we are doing is not something novel or in isolation but rather part of a long tradition to which I know we must be faithful. For that too I seek the intercession of the saints who were disciples that discerned and followed God’s will, including those who participated in previous Synods and Councils over the past 2,000 years.
All you Saints of God, pray for us.
+Brian

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19Oct

I mentioned at the beginning of October that Pope Francis had established 10 Working Groups to study recommendations which were ...

19 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

I mentioned at the beginning of October that Pope Francis had established 10 Working Groups to study recommendations which were raised during the First Assembly but needed further theological or canonical research. Today we have an opportunity to meet with the Working Groups, which will report back to Pope Francis by the end of June 2025.
The 10 Groups are studying: (i) Ecumenism (ii) Cry of the Poor (iii) Relations between Eastern Catholic and Latin Churches (iv) Relationship between charismatic and hierarchical ministries, including the role of women (v) Bishops, including a synodal method of selection (vi) Relationship between bishop, religious and ecclesial movements (vii) Formation in synodality(viii) How does love and truth relate? - working synodally in difficult dogmatic, pastoral and moral issues (ix) Digital Mission (x) Nuncios. Two further Groups are studying Canon Law and polygamy (pastoral care where traditionally practiced).
If you wish, you can also share your own thoughts with one or more of the Working Groups by emailing [email protected] Interestingly, myself and the Superior General of Female Religious, Sr Mary Barron, both received a document from an Argyll and the Isles parishioner which had arisen from one of our parish’s recent Led by the Spirit Meeting, which has now been passed to the relevant Group.
+Brian
Much of the Assembly’s public activity can be viewed live or recorded on Vatican Media, including prayer sessions and the Theological Forum.

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19Oct

Yesterday we finished the 4th module which also marks the end of our (chocolate munching) Group

19 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Yesterday we finished the 4th module which also marks the end of our (chocolate munching) Group. The theologians and writers have, of course, already been hard at work and now they must finish the draft Final Report over the weekend. They have to bring together a potential 1,650 submissions from groups and individuals in 5 different languages from numerous cultures across the world. Not an easy task! However, it is important work as the Report, once approved, will be presented to Pope Francis. The Report should accurately reflect the Assembly’s discussions but also contain concrete proposals for how the Church can become more synodal and missionary. Please keep the writers in your prayers over the weekend.
Our 5th and final module begins on Monday with Mass in St Peter’s at 7.30am which will be live-streamed on Vatican Media.
+Brian

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18Oct

Romero and Ukraine - Resilience in the face of injustice

18 Oct, 2024 | Justice and Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

⏱️15 minute countdown until we are live for The Romero Lecture at the Edinburgh Jesuit Centre.

🕊️Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, will shortly speak on 'Romero and Ukraine: Reslience in the Face of Injustice'.

📺Tune in to our livestream on YouTube at 7pm to follow along:

Archbishop St. Oscar Romero, the outspoken advocate for justice and non-violence in his native El Salvador, has long inspired Christians around the whole wor...

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18Oct

Saint Luke | Franciscan Media

18 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-luke/

Saint Luke is known to us primarily as the author of the Gospel that bears his name, and Acts of the Apostles. Actually two volumes of one work, Saint Luke instructs and inspires us with his beautiful treatment of the words and deeds of Jesus and of the early Church. We are blessed by his writings.

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17Oct

The Synod in One minute

17 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beZYJLlWtbc

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17Oct

Saint Ignatius of Antioch | Franciscan Media

17 Oct, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-ignatius-of-antioch/

On his journey to Rome to face his death in the Circus Maximus, Saint Ignatius of Antioch visited and wrote to many of the churches along the way. These letters have become a valuable source of instruction as well as a source of information about the early days of the Church.

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