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

March 2024

12Mar

Pope Francis: Put God’s forgiveness at the centre of the Church - Vatican News

12 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-03/pope-francis-put-god-s-forgiveness-at-the-centre-of-the-church.html

Pope Francis presides over a penitential liturgy at Rome's St. Pius V Parish to open the "24 Hours for the Lord" initiative, and says confession puts ...

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12Mar

Pope calls for respect of the dignity of all women - Vatican News

12 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-03/pope-calls-for-respect-of-the-dignity-of-all-women.html

Remembering Friday's annual International Women's Day, Pope Francis expressed his nearness to all women, especially to those whose dignity is not ...

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12Mar

African Bishops: 'Stop plundering mineral and natural resources in Africa' - Vatican News

12 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-03/secam-stop-plundering-mineral-and-natural-resources-in-africa.html

A seminar organized by the Symposium of the Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), in collaboration with the Vatican Dicastery for ...

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10Mar

Living in the Light: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Lent

10 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/living-in-the-light-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-fourth-sunday-of-lent/

The Sunday readings in Lent have been showing us the high points of salvation history—God’s covenant with creation in the time of Noah; His promises to Abraham; the law He gave to Israel at Sinai.In today’s First Reading, we hear of the destruction of the kingdom established by God’s fin

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09Mar

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Euthanasia: a warning from Canada. After registering, you will receive a confirmatio...

09 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Alex Schadenberg is a Catholic from Canada and a world expert on the dangers of euthanasia. On Wednesday 13th March he’s going to explain why mistakes in Canada could easily happen in Scotland. Register here:

Alex Schadenberg is one of the world’s premier opponents of euthanasia and assisted suicide. With Liam McArthur MSP planning to publish his proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill imminently, Alex will warn of the dangers of Scotland following the example of Canada in leg...

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09Mar

The ninth Bishop of Galloway, the Right Reverend Francis Dougan, has been ordained in the Church of St-Peter-in-Chains, Ardrossa...

09 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The ninth Bishop of Galloway, the Right Reverend Francis Dougan, has been ordained in the Church of St-Peter-in-Chains, Ardrossan on Saturday 9th March

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08Mar

Ordination of new Bishop of Galloway The Episcopal Ordination Mass of Fr Frank Dougan as the ninth Bishop of Galloway will take ...

08 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Ordination of new Bishop of Galloway
The Episcopal Ordination Mass of Fr Frank Dougan as the ninth Bishop of Galloway will take place on Saturday 9th March at the parish of St Peter in Chains, Ardrossan at 11,00am.

Fr. Dougan was appointed on 22 December 2023, by Pope Francis as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Galloway. He succeeds Archbishop William Nolan who was Bishop of Galloway from 2014 to 2022 when he became Archbishop of Glasgow.
The bishops ordaining Fr. Frank on 9th March are Archbishop Leo Cushley, Archbishop William Nolan, and Bishop Joseph Toal. Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía the Apostolic Nuncio will be present both at the ordination and at the Mass of Reception in St Margaret's Cathedral in Ayr on Sunday 10th March at 15.00 when Fr. Frank will take possession of his cathedral.
The ordination will be livestreamed on YouTube (@RCGalloway) and Facebook (/GallowayDiocese). The stream will begin at 10.30 am, with the Mass beginning at 11.00 am. To watch the livestream online, click here or use the embedded player.

Bishop Dougan will formally be received into St Margaret's Cathedral on Sunday 10th March. The Mass of Reception will be livestreamed on YouTube (@RCGalloway) and Facebook (/GallowayDiocese). The stream will begin at 2.30 pm, with the Mass beginning at 3.00 pm.

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08Mar

Ordination of new Bishop of Galloway [Blogging]

08 Mar, 2024 | SCMO News |

08Mar

Do You Want To Die Today? Inside Canada’s Euthanasia Program

08 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/program/fault-lines/2023/11/17
As our country considers assisted suicide what has happened elsewhere?

The number of Canadians receiving euthanasia is the highest in the world as the country expands access to the procedure.

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08Mar

Why is Canada euthanising the poor?

08 Mar, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-is-canada-euthanising-the-poor-/

There is an endlessly repeated witticism by the poet Anatole France that ‘the law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.’ What France certainly did not foresee is that an entire country – and an ostent....

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