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

12th August 2026

12 August 2026

Statement from the Bishops of Scotland on the Funeral of Ann Widdecombe

Today, the Requiem Mass of Ann Widdecombe, the former Member of the UK Parliament and Government minister, has taken place at Buckfast Abbey, where she was a regular worshipper.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, I offer our prayerful condolences to Ann’s family, friends and all who mourn her today. We join them in commending Ann’s soul to the loving mercy of God.

“Ann was a woman of sincere Catholic faith, sustained by prayer and the sacraments and was happy for her faith to be known publicly.’

“We pray that Christ welcomes her into the peace of His Kingdom."

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 2024

10Feb

France moving towards a Constitution against life - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-02/france-moving-towards-a-constitution-against-life.html

Discussions are underway in France to include the right to abortion in the Constitution. The constitutional amendment has been approved by the ...

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10Feb

Pope Francis: Everyone must combat human trafficking, never be complicit - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-francis-message-10th-world-day-against-human-trafficking.html

Pope Francis releases his message for the 10th World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, and urges society at all levels to combat ...

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10Feb

Saint Scholastica | Franciscan Media

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

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

Family ties and religious obligations may affect one another, but they are not necessarily opposed. Saint Scholastica’s relationship with her brother Saint Benedict, is a good example.

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08Feb

Peter Kearney: Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘a sledgehammer to civil liberties’

08 Feb, 2024 | Anthony Horan | SCPO News |

Peter Kearney: Buffer Zone Bill will take ‘a sledgehammer to civil liberties’ Earlier this week the Daily Record covered the debate set to take place among MSP’s on whether to have “Buffer Zones” around abortion clinics. A Bill proposed by Green MSP Gillian MacKay would criminalise any action aimed at persuading someone not to access abortion or to consider an alternative, within 200 metres of premises carrying out abortions. It would become illegal, to: act in a way designed to influence decisions, hand out leaflets, hold up banners or placards or pray audibly. Incredibly, praying silently would also be criminalised. ...

05Feb

Saint Agatha | Franciscan Media

05 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

One of the four virgin martyrs celebrated in the Catholic calendar of saints, Saint Agatha was arrested during the persecution of Decius in 251. Tortured for her beauty and tempted to violate her chastity, Agatha was eventually martyred.

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04Feb

Pope: ‘Let's work together for peace in the Holy Land’ - Vatican News

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-02/pope-francis-letter-jews-holy-land-peace-karma-ben-johanan.html

Pope Francis sends a letter to “my Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel", addressed to Karma Ben Johanan, a theologian of Jewish-Christian dialogue, ...

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04Feb

Sr. Nabila's appeal from Gaza: ‘We want peace, respect for human rights’ - Vatican News

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-02/sister-nabila-gaza-holy-family-parish-appeal-peace.html

As Christians remain holed up in the Holy Family Parish in Gaza, Sr. Nabila Saleh relaunches her appeal for world leaders to hear the cries of ...

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04Feb

Pope's February prayer intention: For the terminally ill - Vatican News

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/
As our country considers assisted suicide and euthanasia let us pray for a better option of care and accompaniment to those most in need not taking their lives but being with them in life, dying and death 🙏

Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of February 2024, and invites everyone to pray for the terminally ill and their families.

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04Feb

Raised to Serve: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

04 Feb, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/raised-to-serve-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-fifth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

In today’s First Reading, Job describes the futility of life before Christ.His lament reminds us of the curse of toil and death placed upon Adam following his original sin (see Genesis 3:17–19). Men and women are like slaves seeking shade, unable to find rest. Their lives are like the wind t

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02Feb

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

02 Feb, 2024 | Elena Laden | SCPO News |

Pope Francis has nominated Fr. Martin Chambers as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld, succeeding Bishop Stephen Robson, who retired due to health reasons.