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

6th November 2026

06 November 2026

Scottish Bishops Promote ‘Show Mercy’ Theme for Prisoners’ Week 2026

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is encouraging parishes across the country to support Prisoners’ Week Scotland, taking place from 15 - 22 November, under the theme Show Mercy.

The annual initiative invites communities to reflect on the experiences of prisoners, their families, victims of crime and those working within Scotland’s prisons.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of recognising the dignity of every person, including those serving prison sentences.

Deacon Kenny McGeachie, lead Catholic chaplain for the Scottish Prison Service, said:

“This year’s Prisoners’ Week invites us to think more deeply about what it means to show mercy, particularly towards those who are already paying the price for their actions. I would encourage everyone to take part in Prisoners’ Week and reflect on how even a small act of kindness can affirm a person’s human dignity.”

One practical example is the Prisoners’ Week Dignity Fund, supported by the Society of St Vincent de Paul and other groups. The fund helps prisoners who lack financial resources or family support to obtain essential items, including suitable clothing for family funerals and basic necessities.

The Bishops’ Conference is encouraging parishes to make use of the Prisoners’ Week information packs distributed to parishes throughout Scotland, helping communities mark the week through prayer, reflection and practical support.

The public launch of Prisoners’ Week Scotland will take place on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm.

The event is open to everyone, and members of the public are warmly encouraged to attend.

Further information is available at www.prisonersweek.org.uk.

...ENDS

Notes to editor

Prisoners’ Week Scotland 2026 takes place from 15–22 November, with the theme Show Mercy. The public launch event will be held on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm. Everyone is welcome.
For further information, visit www.prisonersweek.org.uk
For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office. Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

22nd October 2026

22 October 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has announced that he is stepping back from his daily duties until further notice, following medical advice.

Bishop Keenan has been undergoing medical investigations and will require further tests and examinations over the coming weeks.

During this time, Vicar General Monsignor Joe Burke will oversee the day-to-day running of the Diocese of Paisley.

Bishop Keenan hopes to provide a further update once these investigations are concluded and is grateful for your prayers at this time.

...ENDS

Notes for editors

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office. Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

July 2026

17Jul

Gospel

17 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 12:1-8
‘The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’

At that time Jesus went through the cornfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, ‘Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.’ He said to them, ‘Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God and ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him to eat nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? Or have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath the priests in the Temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? I tell you, something greater than the Temple is here. And if you had known what this means, “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice”, you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.’

16Jul

Gospel

16 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 11:28-30
‘Come to me, all who labour.’

At that time: Jesus declared, ‘Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

15Jul

Though not as widely known today as some of the great saints of the Church, Saint Bonaventure was one of the most influential th...

15 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Though not as widely known today as some of the great saints of the Church, Saint Bonaventure was one of the most influential theologians and spiritual leaders of the medieval period. A distinguished scholar at the University of Paris, he was admired not only for his intellectual brilliance but also for his deep Franciscan spirituality. Inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, Bonaventure placed Christ at the centre of everything he did—his teaching, writing, leadership, and prayer. His profound wisdom and holiness earned him the title *“Seraphic Doctor”* of the Church.

Born in Bagnoregio, Italy, in 1221, he was baptised John. At the age of 22, he joined the Franciscan Order and took the name Bonaventure. His parents, Giovanni di Fidanza and Maria Ritella, provided him with a comfortable upbringing, and tradition holds that he was miraculously healed from a serious childhood illness through the intercession of Saint Francis.

A gifted spiritual writer, Bonaventure combined practical leadership with deep theological insight. Drawing on the example of Saint Francis, he developed a spirituality rooted in love of Christ, contemplation, and faithful service to the Church. His writings continue to be valued for their warmth, clarity, and ability to unite intellectual understanding with heartfelt devotion.

In 1273, Pope Gregory X appointed him Cardinal and Bishop of Albano. The following year, while taking part in the Second Council of Lyon, Saint Bonaventure died unexpectedly on 15 July 1274. Although some later theories suggested he may have been poisoned, no conclusive evidence exists. He is remembered as a great teacher, theologian, and saint whose life reflected both profound learning and deep holiness.

15Jul

Gospel

15 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 11:25-27
‘You have hidden these things from the wise and revealed them to little children.’

At that time Jesus declared, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

14Jul

Gospel

14 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 11:20-24
‘It will be more tolerable on the day of judgement for Tyre and Sidon and the land of Sodom than for you.’

At that time: Jesus began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgement for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgement for the land of Sodom than for you.’

13Jul

Gospel

13 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 10:34-11:1
‘I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.’

At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
‘Whoever receives you, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives him who sent me. The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.’
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

12Jul

Gospel

12 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 13:1-9
‘A sower went out to sow.’

At that time: Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.’

11Jul

Although no contemporary biography of Saint Benedict survives, his influence on Western monasticism is immeasurable

11 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Although no contemporary biography of Saint Benedict survives, his influence on Western monasticism is immeasurable. Much of what we know about him comes from the *Dialogues* of Saint Gregory the Great, which focus more on the miraculous events of his life than on providing a detailed historical account.

Born into a noble family in central Italy, Benedict was sent to Rome for his education. However, disillusioned by the moral decline and turmoil of the age—marked by war, division within the Church, and social unrest—he felt called to a life devoted to God.

Seeking solitude, Benedict first embraced the life of a hermit, spending three years in a cave in the mountains. Yet he soon recognised that his vocation extended beyond a life of isolation. After a period leading a community of monks, he began to develop a vision of monastic life centred on prayer, fraternity, and stability within a shared community.

This vision led him to establish the monastery of Monte Cassino, situated on a prominent hill overlooking the valleys south of Rome and north of Naples. It would become one of the most influential centres of Christian monasticism in history.

Over time, Benedict composed the *Rule of Saint Benedict*, a guide for monastic living that balanced prayer, study, work, and community life under the leadership of an abbot. Known for its wisdom and moderation, the Rule fostered both spiritual growth and practical service, encouraging monks to care for those living around their monasteries.

During the Middle Ages, the Rule of Saint Benedict became the foundation for most Western monastic communities. Today, Benedict’s legacy continues through the Benedictine family, including the Benedictine Confederation of monks and nuns, as well as the Cistercians and Trappists, who follow the Benedictine tradition with a particular emphasis on simplicity and contemplation.

11Jul

Gospel

11 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 19:27-29
‘You who have followed me will receive a hundredfold.’

At that time: Peter said to Jesus, ‘See, we have left everything and followed you. What, then, will we have?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or children or lands for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal

10Jul

Gospel

10 Jul, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 10:16-23
‘It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father.’

At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: ‘Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.’