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

October 2024

16Oct

To keep our Small Group’s energy levels up (and sugar levels too, unfortunately) we share chocolate during every session but tod...

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

To keep our Small Group’s energy levels up (and sugar levels too, unfortunately) we share chocolate during every session but today we were healthy with bananas! For some strange reason, they want me to bring whisky!
We are half way through the 4th Module, reflecting on ‘Places’ of synodal missionary activity: how can parishes, new movements, basic Christian communities, cultures, digital technology, migration, dioceses, Bishops’ Conferences, the Roman Curia, the Pope, plurality yet Unity of Faith etc help us become more missionary? What are the obstacles, what needs to change, what must develop, in a radically changing world, for us to become more relevant and effective missionaries?
+Brian

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16Oct

Cardinal Nichols mobilizes Catholics against bill on assisted suicide - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-10/cardinal-nichols-mobilizes-catholics-against-assisted-suicide.html

As the House of Commons begins to debate a new controversial bill on assisted dying, the head of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales (CBCEW) ...

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16Oct

Synod Briefing – Day 11: Focus on disabilities, women and climate crisis - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-10/synod-briefing-day-11-synod-focus-15-october-2024.html

At the daily briefing at the Holy See Press Office on the latest Synod developments, journalists learn that the Synod's General Assembly focused on a ...

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16Oct

Pope at Audience: Faith frees us from thinking everything ends here - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-at-audience-16-october-2024.html

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16Oct

img.ecatholic.com

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

October 16, is the feast of St. Gerard

Born in Muro, about fifty miles south of Naples, Italy, in April 1726, St. Gerard accomplished much in his short life. He died on October 16, 1755 at the age of 29.

As a young man, Gerard was an apprentice tailor. His father had died young so Gerard was charged with providing income to support his mother and three sisters. He divided his earnings between his mother, the poor, and Masses for the deceased.

Gerard felt called to religious life. After various failed attempts to become a Franciscan friar, he was accepted into the Redemptorists in 1749. Two years later he made his profession as a religious brother.

Though he suffered various physical maladies that made him chronically weak in body, he did the work of three, and his great charity earned for him the title Father of the Poor. He is also the patron saint of Mothers due to his prayerful intervention that led to the successful birth of a child to a woman who was seemingly dying in childbirth. Both mother and child survived.

One of his last requests before his early death was that a white placard be tacked to his door with the inscription:

“Here the will of God is done, as God wills, and as long as God wills.”

Gerard died at the Redemptorist Monastery in Caposele, near the town of his birth. He is buried below the altar of Materdomini, the Redemptorist Church in Caposele.

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15Oct

Religious sister honored for service to Indigenous People in the Philippines - Vatican News

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

Sr. Minerva Caampued, a Franciscan nun, has been named the recipient of the 2024 St. Teresa of Calcutta Award for her nearly three-decade-long ...

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15Oct

The Synod logo and message (For a Synodal church: communion, participation, mission) remains the same but the language constant...

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

The Synod logo and message (For a Synodal church: communion, participation, mission) remains the same but the language constantly changes on our monitors. Now it is in Arabic. This visualises the richness of encounter here, as we listen to people from all across the world - and not restricted to the official meetings but over coffee, in our residences and during worship. As we reflect on Church life and how the Lord is leading us to deepen our mission such encounters are eye opening and encouraging. The Spirit is at work and people are responding from every tribe, race and nation! We are truly blessed to be here and I hope that I can share some of that with you when I return home.
+Brian
Mass will be celebrated tomorrow, Wednesday, at 3pm and will be broadcast on Vatican Media.

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15Oct

CHRIST HAS NO BODY NOW BUT YOURS | David Ogden

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

https://youtu.be/LkROe0m74Vg?si=gNQ1EueZFz5lrEBF
Prayer of St Teresa of Avila🙏

Christ has no body now but yours,No hands, no feet on earth but yours,Yours are the eyes with which he seesYours are the feet with which he walksYours are th...

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15Oct

https://rcpolitics.org/bishops-conference-of-scotland-human-life-must-be-respected-and-protected-from-conception/

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

https://rcpolitics.org/bishops-conference-of-scotland-human-life-must-be-respected-and-protected-from-conception/
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to respect the right to life of the unborn child in a submission to the Scottish Government’s Abortion Law Review Expert Working Group.

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15Oct

Saint Teresa of Avila | Franciscan Media

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

https://www.franciscanmedia.org

Saint Teresa of Avila lived before and during the Council of Trent. Having experienced the Reformation, she felt a need for reform, but took things in a different direction than the Protestants. Teresa set an example for present day reformers.

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