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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2025

13Jan

Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

12Jan

God's face and voice: Pope reflects on Jesus' baptism

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

https://aleteia.org/2025/01/12/gods-face-and-voice-pope-reflects-on-jesus-baptism

Seeing God's face, hearing God's voice we can ask: Do I feel loved and accompanied by God, or do I think God is distant from me? Also remember your baptism!

11Jan

Bishops representing the Episcopal Conferences of England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland meet in London - Catholic Bishops' Con...

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

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/
Bishops Keenan and McGee and Fr Maguiness travelled to Westminster for the annual meeting of the English Welsh Irish and Scottish hierarchies.

A 'Liaison Committee' of bishops from England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland met to share times of fraternal prayer and reflection.

10Jan

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

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

🎥Lights, Camera, Climate Action!

On MSPs’ first day back in 2025 we were on location at the Scottish Parliament to show that Scotland is united for climate action for warmer homes, cleaner forms of travel & good jobs in green industries.

As MSPs return to set, we need a new storyline to get climate action back on track for positive impacts on our health, jobs, and planet.

🎬ACTION: Ask MSPs to write a better script this year: www.stopclimatechaos.scot/campaign/scotland-united-for-climate-action/

#ScotlandUnitedForClimateAction

08Jan

UN efforts to save lives of survivors in Gaza ‘at breaking point - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-01/united-nations-aid-gaza-breaking-point-israel-strikes.html

The United Nations has warned that its work delivering aid to people in Gaza is at breaking point following what it said was a ‘deliberate and ...

08Jan

Half a million pilgrims have already crossed the threshold of St Peter's Holy Door - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-01/half-a-million-pilgrims-have-crossed-the-holy-door-in-st-peter-s.html

Over half a million pilgrims have passed through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica in the first two weeks of the Jubilee Year 2025.

08Jan

Pope appoints Sr

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-01/vatican-first-female-prefect-simona-brambilla-consecrated-life.html

Pope Francis appoints Sr. Simona Brambilla, an Italian-born religious sister from the Consolata Missionaries, as Prefect of the Dicastery for ...

08Jan

When is a baby not a baby?

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

https://catholicherald.co.uk/when-is-a-baby-not-a-baby-the-legal-contradictions-surrounding-the-womb/

The UK’s abortion laws and its recent ban on protest or prayer outside abortion centres directly contradict the government’s newly launched baby-loss certificate scheme. On one hand we’re led to believe that the viability of a foetus determines its personhood, so abortions before 24 weeks gest...

06Jan

Bishop Keenan, President of the Bishop’s Conference, would like to thank the Rangers supporters who came to aid on the 2nd Jan

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

Bishop Keenan, President of the Bishop’s Conference, would like to thank the Rangers supporters who came to aid on the 2nd Jan. After parking his car in Glasgow city centre he left his lights on and returning from Handel’s Messiah at the concert hall, the car wouldn’t start-flat battery. Two fans let him jump start his car from their car so he could get home to Paisley. A Happy New Year experience 🙏

06Jan

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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