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

January 2025

31Jan

The Diocese of Paisley Podcast | Tommy Burns - The Cause for Canonisation: Patrick O'Hara looks at the possible opening of a Cau...

31 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://share.transistor.fm/s/11ba9bd1

The Diocese of Paisley Podcast | Tommy Burns - The Cause for Canonisation: Patrick O'Hara looks at the possible opening of a Cause for Canonisation of Scottish football legend.

Featuring Patrick O'Hara; Christopher McLaughlin - Tommy Burns Cause for Canonisation coordinating team. To contact the Tommy Burns Cause for Canonisation coordinating team please email: [email protected].

31Jan

📢CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INSIST ISRAEL OVERTUN UNRWA BAN

31 Jan, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📢CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO INSIST ISRAEL OVERTUN UNRWA BAN

🚫UNRWA, the UN agency that supports the relief and development of the Palestinian refugee population, has been banned from operating following an act passed by the Israeli government.

❌The ban will jeopardise the lives, education and healthcare of millions of Palestinians across the Occupied Palestinian Territory and risks undermining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

🏥No entity can replace UNRWA owing to the scale of its operations across Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. UNRWA operates 140 primary health facilities and 706 schools.

📃Foreign Ministers from the UK, France & Germany have issued a statement underscoring their support for UNRWA’s mandate to operate in the region and urged Israel to abide by its international obligations and ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance and the provision of basic services to the civilian population.

📢 Justice & Peace Scotland add our voice to the many urging the international community to demand that the Israeli authorities urgently overturn the ban and allow UNRWA unhindered delivery of its crucial services. You can help by sharing these calls and by contacting your MP urging them to advocate for the protection of UNRWA and its services.

📷Image credit: UNRWA USA

31Jan

Saint John Bosco | Franciscan Media

31 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Inspired by Saint Francis de Sales, Saint John Bosco founded the Salesians to continue his work among boys. Then, joining forces with Mary Mazzarello, he helped found the Salesian Sisters. All this during a time when established religious communities in Italy were closing their doors.

30Jan

Photos from SCIAF's post

30 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

29Jan

Diocese of Motherwell Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2025 - Joe Walsh Tours

29 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://joewalshtours.co.uk/tours/diocese-of-motherwell-pilgrimage-to-lourdes-2025/#booking-form

The Diocese of Motherwell Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from 14th to 21st July 2025, under the leadership of The Bishop of Motherwell Right Reverend

28Jan

Jerusalem bishop to speak in Scotland about suffering of Christians in Holy Land - The Tablet

28 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/jerusalem-bishop-to-speak-in-scotland-about-suffering-of-christians-in-holy-land/

Bishops from the Holy Land and Nigeria are among the speakers scheduled to speak at anb ACN conference in Scotland on the suffering and persecution of Christians.

28Jan

Aid to the Church in Need | Scottish Catholic Conference

28 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://acnuk.org/event/scottish-catholic-conference/

Scottish Catholic Conference Start: 29 Mar 2025 9:30 ▪ End: 29 Mar 2025 16:00 ▪ Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY facebook twitter email Please join us for our first ever ACN Scottish Catholic Conference, ‘Courage to Be Catholic’. This special event will bring ...

28Jan

📖Today we celebrate the feast day of the renowned Catholic theologian, philosopher, and writer St Thomas Aquinas

28 Jan, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📖Today we celebrate the feast day of the renowned Catholic theologian, philosopher, and writer St Thomas Aquinas.

💬In the highly charged political landscapes of 2025 where rhetoric and language is often hateful, and the willingness to dialogue with others of an opposing view is absent from both sides of the political spectrum, this quote from the Doctor of the Church reminds us of the value in engaging in respectful discussion and debate with those whom we disagree. Often there are many narratives that must be heard if we hope to get to the real truth of any disagreement or debate.

28Jan

Pange Lingua Gloriosi - Tantum Ergo Sacramentum Corpus Christi Maundy Thursday Eucharistic Adoration

28 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://youtu.be/4apJNn2Y-ds?si=QX4HW-DEU5Qdes1L
Written by St Thomas Aquinas

Arrangment by Caitlin Foster 2022Sung by: Caitlin Foster, Emma Drzycimski, Michael Foster, and John GriffithTranslation by: Edward Caswall, C.O. (1814–1878)P...

28Jan

Saint Thomas Aquinas | Franciscan Media

28 Jan, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Saint Thomas Aquinas is well known for his writings, especially the "Summa Theologica." But he was far more than a philosopher/theologian. He was a devout man who wrote beautiful prayers and hymns. Perhaps the best known is the "Pange Lingua."