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

23rd July 2026

23 July 2026

Catholic Bishops of Scotland Offer Congratulations to the New Prime Minister

The Catholic Bishops of Scotland have written to the Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, offering their congratulations on his appointment and assuring him of their prayers and good wishes as he begins this important public service.

As a Catholic, the Prime Minister will be familiar with the Church’s enduring commitment to the dignity of every human person and to the promotion of the common good – principles which lie at the heart of Catholic social teaching. We hope these values will underpin his leadership, particularly in serving the poor, the vulnerable and those on the margins of society, and in advancing the cause of peace, justice and reconciliation both at home and abroad.

We assure the Prime Minister of our prayers for wisdom, courage and integrity as he undertakes the responsibilities of this high office. We look forward to working constructively with him and his Government on the many issues that affect the lives and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, and we pray that the United Kingdom will continue to use its influence in the service of peace, justice and human dignity throughout the world.

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

February 2025

22Feb

Rather than placing the Jubilee Cross on the Cathedral Sanctuary we decided that it should be accessible to all

22 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Rather than placing the Jubilee Cross on the Cathedral Sanctuary we decided that it should be accessible to all. Therefore, our Cross stands beside the Baptismal Font where each visitor can venerate it, including by embrace or kiss. After Morning Mass we process together as Pilgrims of Hope to the Cross for veneration. Jesus revealed the depth of his love for us on the Cross, from which our hope springs. I will be celebrating a Jubilee Mass of Hope in each Deanery to which I will bring the Jubilee Cross, after which each parish will host the Cross for a short period. This will allow the entire diocese to be united in our shared pilgrimage, finding hope in God’s love which shines upon us from the Cross.
+Brian

22Feb

Chair of Saint Peter | Franciscan Media

22 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/chair-of-saint-peter/
Prayers for Pope Francis on the Feast of the Chair of St Peter🙏

Every cathedral has a “cathedra,” a bishop’s chair that is used only by the bishop when he presides in the cathedral. It’s a symbol of his authority as chief teacher and liturgist of the diocese. So, today we celebrate the authority of the chief bishop, Saint Peter and his successors, the po...

19Feb

"The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers."

19 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

"The blood tests, evaluated by the medical staff, show a slight improvement, particularly in the inflammatory markers."

The Holy See Press Office released an update on Pope Francis' health on Wednesday evening. It described the Holy Father's condition as "stable."

Continuing, the statement explained the Pope had breakfast in the morning and then "engaged in work activities with his closest collaborators. Before lunch, he received the Eucharist."

In the afternoon, Pope Francis received "a visit from the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, with whom he privately spent 20 minutes."

19Feb

A statement from the Vatican today has announced that Pope Francis is being treated for bilateral pneumonia

19 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A statement from the Vatican today has announced that Pope Francis is being treated for bilateral pneumonia. The Holy Father has asked that you continue to pray for him. 🙏

Statement:
“A follow-up chest CT scan, to which the Holy Father was subjected this afternoon—prescribed by the Vatican medical team and the medical staff of the “A. Gemelli” Polyclinic Foundation—revealed the onset of bilateral pneumonia, requiring additional pharmacological therapy.”

“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits.”

The Press Office statement concludes by noting that the Pope had "received the Eucharist and, throughout the day, alternated between rest, prayer, and reading. He expresses his gratitude for the support he feels at this time and kindly asks that prayers for him continue.”

19Feb

The annual Day of Prayer for those who have experienced abuse in the Church is observed in Scotland on the first Friday of Lent ...

19 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The annual Day of Prayer for those who have experienced abuse in the Church is observed in Scotland on the first Friday of Lent - Friday 7th March 2025. Resources are circulated by Diocesan offices to support the provision of specific prayers and liturgies in parish churches and faith communities across Scotland.
Bishops' Conference of Scotland Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Archdiocese of Glasgow Motherwell Diocese Diocese of Galloway RC Diocese of Aberdeen Diocese of Paisley Diocese of Argyll & the Isles

17Feb

A new generation of saints?

17 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/262189/a-new-generation-of-saints-6-young-millennials-on-the-road-to-sainthood

Six young people who lived with deep faith and committed their lives to the Church that Jesus founded are on their way to being proclaimed saints.

17Feb

Pope’s health stable as he continues treatment in hospital - Vatican News

17 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-francis-matteo-bruni-health-hospital.html

The Holy See Press Office releases an update on Pope Francis' health as he is treated for a respiratory infection in hospital, saying that he rested ...

15Feb

St Like outlines the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Plain this weekend in the Sunday Gospel

15 Feb, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

St Like outlines the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Plain this weekend in the Sunday Gospel. If the devil were to write his beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:
1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians – they are my best workers.

2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked – I can use them.

3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church – they are my missionaries.

4. Blessed are the trouble makers – they shall be called my children.

5. Blessed are the complainers – I’m all ears to them.

6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister’s mannerisms and mistakes – for they get nothing out of his sermons.

7. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church – for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.

8. Blessed are those who gossip – for they shall cause strife and divisions that please me.

9. Blessed are those who are easily offended – for they will soon get angry and quit.

10. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God’s work – for they are my helpers.

11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister – for he shall be with me forever.

12. Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not yourself – I’ve got you too!