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

04Jul

We offer our congratulations to Fr Matthew McCafferty, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood for the Archdiocese of St Andre...

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

We offer our congratulations to Fr Matthew McCafferty, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh by Archbishop Leo Cushley yesterday, 3 July, at St Mary’s Church, Bathgate.

His ordination is a joyful occasion not only for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh, but for the whole Church in Scotland, and a reminder that God continues to call men to dedicate their lives to serving His people.

Please keep Fr Matthew in your prayers as he begins his priestly ministry, and continue to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood throughout Scotland.

May God bless Fr Matthew abundantly as he begins this new chapter of his vocation. 🙏

04Jul

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 9:14-17
‘Can they mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?’

At that time: The disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.’

03Jul

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿

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

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿

The Bishops of Scotland have confirmed the completion of the sale of the former Pontifical Scots College building on the Via Cassia in Rome, marking the end of an important chapter in the history of the college.

Since 1964, the Via Cassia building has been home to generations of Scottish seminarians during their formation for priestly ministry.

Commenting on the building sale, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said:

“Today we give thanks for the generations of priests who were formed at the College on the Via Cassia and who have faithfully served the people of Scotland. As one chapter closes, another begins. With confidence in the Lord’s providence, we look to the future and to the continuing mission of the College in forming priests who will proclaim the Gospel with faith, generosity and hope.”

The rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Fr Mark Cassidy, said:
“The sale of the Via Cassia building brings to an end a significant chapter in the life of the Church in Scotland. We now look forward to the next chapter in our 425-year history and to finding a new home for the seminary, where we can continue to form men ready for the Church’s mission.”

The bishops wish to record their sincere thanks to the College rector, Fr Mark, and the teams in Rome and Scotland who worked so diligently with him to bring the sale to completion.

03Jul

Tonight (Friday 3 July) at 7:00pm Matthew McCafferty will be ordained to the Priesthood

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

Tonight (Friday 3 July) at 7:00pm Matthew McCafferty will be ordained to the Priesthood.

The event will be livestreamed at bit.ly/mccaffertyordination and on the Facebook page of the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

03Jul

There is very little about the apostle Thomas in the Gospels; one text calls him the "twin." Rarely during Jesus' lifetime does ...

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

There is very little about the apostle Thomas in the Gospels; one text calls him the "twin." Rarely during Jesus' lifetime does he stand out among his colleagues. There is the instance before the raising of Lazarus, when Jesus was still in Perea and Thomas exclaimed: "Let us also go and die with Him." Best-known is his expression of unbelief after the Savior's death, giving rise to the phrase "doubting Thomas." Nevertheless, the passage describing the incident, had as today's Gospel, must be numbered among the most touching in Sacred Scripture.

In the Breviary lessons Pope St. Gregory the Great makes the following reflections: "Thomas' unbelief has benefited our faith more than the belief of the other disciples; it is because he attained faith through physical touch that we are confirmed in the faith beyond all doubt. Indeed, the Lord permitted the apostle to doubt after the resurrection; but He did not abandon him in doubt. By his doubt and by his touching the sacred wounds the apostle became a witness to the truth of the resurrection. Thomas touched and cried out: My Lord and my God! And Jesus said to him: Because you have seen Me, Thomas, you have believed. Now if Thomas saw and touched the Savior, why did Jesus say: Because you have seen Me, Thomas, you have believed? Because he saw something other than what he believed. For no mortal man can see divinity. Thomas saw the Man Christ and acknowledged His divinity with the words: My Lord and my God. Faith therefore followed upon seeing."

Concerning later events in the apostle's life very meager information exists. The Martyrology has this: "At Calamina (near Madras in India) the martyrdom of the apostle Thomas—he announced the Gospel to the Parthians, and finally came to India. After he had converted numerous tribes to Christianity, he was pierced with lances at the king's command."
—Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

03Jul

Gospel

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

Gospel
John 20:24-29
‘My Lord and my God!’

Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord’. But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

02Jul

🌿 Join us for the Season of Creation Conference 2026

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

🌿 Join us for the Season of Creation Conference 2026

The Bishops’ Conference Care of Creation Office invites you to a day of inspiration, reflection and practical action as we celebrate the Season of Creation.

📅 Saturday, 5th September 2026
🕙 10am – 3pm
📍 Eyre Hall, Archdiocese of Glasgow Offices, Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY

We are delighted to welcome Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, as our keynote speaker.

The day will also include practical workshops exploring how parishes, schools and communities can engage young people and parish groups in caring for our common home.

Register today: bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26

02Jul

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 9:1-8
‘They glorified God, who had given such authority to men.’

At that time: Getting into a boat Jesus crossed over and came to his own city. And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.’ And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, ‘This man is blaspheming.’ But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Rise and walk”? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’ — he then said to the paralytic — ‘Rise, pick up your bed and go home.’ And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

01Jul

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 8:28-34
‘Have you come here to torment demons before the time?’

At that time: When Jesus came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. And behold, they cried out, ‘What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?’ Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. And the demons begged him, saying, ‘If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs.’ And he said to them, ‘Go.’ So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

June 2026

30Jun

Pope Leo's prayer intention for July 2026

30 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Leo's prayer intention for July 2026

For respect for human life
Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God.