The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

5th May 2026

05 May 2026

Pastoral letter from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland on the Scottish Parliament Election

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election approaches, we find ourselves at another important moment in our nation’s life. Elections are not only political events but opportunities to reflect prayerfully on our responsibilities as citizens and disciples of Jesus Christ. Our participation in public life expresses our love of neighbour and our desire to build a society that honours God through truth, justice, and charity.

The Church and the political community have distinct roles, yet both serve the good of every person. The Church forms consciences through the light of the Gospel, while politics shapes society’s structures. When these work together respectfully, society flourishes, especially in its care for the weakest. It is therefore vital that Catholics approach this election with faith‑formed minds and hearts moved by charity.

Many in Scotland today face deep vulnerability: unborn children; the elderly; families in poverty; the disabled; those with poor mental health; people suffering addiction; victims of modern slavery; migrants seeking safety; people considering suicide; and victims of crime. They deserve not only compassion but public policies that protect their dignity. We need representatives who act with integrity, value every human life, and prioritise the poorest. Public service is noble when rooted in humility and the common good.

Our elected officials must also defend fundamental freedoms—thought, conscience, and religion—so Scotland remains a place where people can express beliefs openly and respectfully. Public discourse thrives when diverse voices can speak without fear and disagreements are handled with civility. Silencing religious expression deprives society of moral and spiritual richness.

We affirm the rights of parents, who have the God‑given responsibility to educate their children, including choosing schools that reflect their convictions. Authorities must safeguard this right and protect Catholic schools, which serve families of all backgrounds and help form young people in faith, virtue, and service. Attempts to marginalise, or remove, these schools would weaken Scotland’s educational diversity.

As you prepare to vote, reflect on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching - human dignity, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity - which illuminate the key moral issues of our time:

the protection of life from conception to natural death;
care for the poor and vulnerable;
fair and sustainable economic conditions;
accessible healthcare;
the elimination of modern slavery;
the strengthening of marriage and family life;
care for creation;
the promotion of peace and support for poorer nations; and
the defence of religious freedom and conscience.

These are not merely political issues, but moral ones rooted in the Gospel and the Church’s commitment to every person’s dignity. Study and pray with these principles as you discern your vote. Resources from the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office ( rcpolitics.org) can help form your conscience, enabling you to seek truth, weigh moral implications, and consider the impact on the vulnerable. Above all, we urge you to use your right to vote.

We pray for respectful and honest conversation throughout this election. Political life must not be poisoned by anger, division, or populist rhetoric. May all debates reflect concern for human dignity and the common good.

We entrust Scotland—its people, leaders, and future—to the care of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. May her intercession guide us toward justice, compassion, and unity. May the Holy Spirit inspire candidates with integrity and humility, and voters with responsibility, prayerfulness, and love of neighbour.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

+ John Keenan, President, Bishop of Paisley

+ Brian McGee, Vice President, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles

+ Andrew McKenzie, Episcopal Secretary, Bishop of Dunkeld

+ Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

+ William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow

+ Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell

+ Hugh Gilbert, Bishop of Aberdeen

+ Francis Dougan, Bishop of Galloway

20th March 2026

20 March 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Following a request from the Holy See, the Bishops of Scotland have been invited to reflect on how the structures of the Church in our country can best serve her mission in the years ahead, specifically whether the present situation of eight dioceses is suitable.

We are all aware of the challenges before us — fewer clergy, changing patterns of practice, and increasing pressures on our diocesan resources, among other things. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel and to lead our people to Christ.

Two possible pathways are being proposed for careful discernment: developing deeper cooperation and the sharing of resources across dioceses within our present structures, or the merging of some dioceses.

In order to best inform ourselves and the Holy See, each bishop will engage with his diocese over the coming months for the first part of this process. Everyone will be given the opportunity to pray, reflect, and contribute.

Following-on from the presentation of a discussion paper, responses from each diocese will contribute to the initial findings which will be given to the Holy See in the Autumn.

This is not simply an administrative exercise. It is a pastoral and missionary response to our changing landscape. This process will ensure our Church in Scotland will continue to grow ever more missionary, more Christ-centred, and more collaborative in the service of God’s people.

Entrusting this work to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to the intercession of Our Lady, we move forward together with confidence and renewed hope.

Contact:

Media Office

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

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

Empty
Click + to add content

News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2026

31Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:35-41)

31 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:35-41)

On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’

30Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:26-34)

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

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:26-34)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd: ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.’
And he said, ‘With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.’
With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

30Jan

Holy Mass of Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time | 30 January 2026

30 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Friday of the Third Week of Ordinary Time | 30 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

29Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:21-25)

29 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:21-25)

At that time: Jesus said to the crowd, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.’ And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’

28Jan

Human Fraternity in Practice: Responding to Migrants and Refugees Today

28 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Human Fraternity in Practice: Responding to Migrants and Refugees Today
Join us in person to explore how we can support migrants and refugees through real-life acts of human fraternity from across the community!

This inspiring in-person event we'll dive into how human fraternity can shape our response to migrants and refugees. It's all about practical steps and real stories that highlight compassion and action. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn and help us all make a difference together.

We will have keynote speeches from the Christian and Muslim faiths as well as presentations from Holyrood and St Rochs Secondary school. The event culminates with a panel of experts who work within professional refugee support networks. i.e. Maryhill Integration Network, Govan Community project and West of Scotland Regional Equality Council.

Register: https://shorturl.at/Y5DPq

28Jan

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has written to the First Minister of Scotland to express the Church’s support for the Prosti...

28 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has written to the First Minister of Scotland to express the Church’s support for the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, currently before the Scottish Parliament.

In the letter, the Bishops’ Conference describes the Bill, tabled by independent MSP, Ash Regan, as “a vital step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and addressing the systemic harms associated with prostitution in Scotland.”
Protecting Victims and Challenging Demand

The Bill’s central purpose—to reduce prostitution and tackle exploitation, coercion, and harm—is described as both compelling and necessary.

It proposes a new offence for the purchase of sexual acts, while repealing outdated laws that historically penalised those who were themselves victims. The Bill would also quash previous convictions under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, removing what Bishop Keenan calls a “significant barrier” to rebuilding lives.

The Bishops’ Conference supports the Bill’s adoption of a “challenging demand” model, shifting criminal responsibility away from individuals exploited through prostitution—overwhelmingly women and girls—and onto the buyers who fuel the commercial sex market. This model reflects international best practice and aligns with Scotland’s wider commitments to tackling violence against women and girls.

Addressing Vulnerability and Trauma
The letter highlights the deep vulnerabilities that underpin involvement in prostitution. Many affected individuals have experienced childhood abuse, care experience, grooming, and trauma, with young people—particularly those leaving care—at high risk of exploitation. Technology has intensified these risks, expanding opportunities for manipulation.

Human Trafficking Concerns
The Bishops’ Conference also emphasises the Bill’s relevance to combatting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a significant and documented issue in Scotland. International evidence links reductions in trafficking to demand-reduction legislation. Bishop Brian McGee, Vice-President of the Bishops’ Conference, has contributed insight from his work with the Santa Marta Group, an international alliance dedicated to ending human trafficking. He believes the Bill reflects “the realities identified by trafficked people, law enforcement, and Church agencies around the world.”

Right to Support
A key component of the proposed legislation is the creation of a statutory right to support for anyone currently or previously involved in prostitution. This includes access to accommodation, financial aid, healthcare, and counselling—supports deemed essential for enabling safe and sustainable exits from prostitution.

Call for Political Leadership
Acknowledging differing political opinions, and expecting Parliament to provide considerable scrutiny from which the Bill can benefit, the letter urges the Scottish Government to show leadership by backing the Bill, underscoring its potential to protect vulnerable women and girls, prevent trafficking, and advance equality.

28Jan

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas | 28 January 2026

28 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas | 28 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

28Jan

Saint Thomas Aquinas is widely recognised as one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church and the leading voice in bri...

28 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Saint Thomas Aquinas is widely recognised as one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church and the leading voice in bringing faith and reason into harmony. Known as the Angelic Doctor, he is honoured as a Doctor of the Church for the enduring depth and clarity of his teaching.

Born into a noble family, Thomas was sent at a young age to the Benedictine monastery at Monte Cassino. While studying later in Naples, he encountered the philosophy of Aristotle, which would profoundly shape his thinking. Against his family’s wishes, he chose the Dominican way of life, a decision that led to a period of captivity at home before he was allowed to pursue his vocation.

Thomas studied under Saint Albert the Great and went on to teach in Paris and elsewhere, serving the Church as a theologian, teacher and advisor. His work sought to show that human reason and divine revelation are not opposed but together lead us to truth, since both come from God.

His greatest work, the Summa Theologiae, was intended to present the whole of Catholic theology. After a profound spiritual experience near the end of his life, he ceased writing, saying that all he had written seemed like straw compared to what had been revealed to him. He died in 1274, leaving a legacy that continues to shape Catholic thought to this day.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.

28Jan

Bishops’ Conference Calls for Action on Exploitation with Support for New Prostitution Bill

28 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Bishops’ Conference Calls for Action on Exploitation with Support for New Prostitution Bill

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has written to the First Minister of Scotland to express the Church’s support for the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, currently before the Scottish Parliament.

In the letter, the Bishops’ Conference describes the Bill, tabled by independent MSP, Ash Regan, as “a vital step toward protecting some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society and addressing the systemic harms associated with prostitution in Scotland.”

Protecting Victims and Challenging Demand

The Bill’s central purpose—to reduce prostitution and tackle exploitation, coercion, and harm—is described as both compelling and necessary.
It proposes a new offence for the purchase of sexual acts, while repealing outdated laws that historically penalised those who were themselves victims. The Bill would also quash previous convictions under section 46 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, removing what Bishop Keenan calls a “significant barrier” to rebuilding lives.

The Bishops’ Conference supports the Bill’s adoption of a “challenging demand” model, shifting criminal responsibility away from individuals exploited through prostitution—overwhelmingly women and girls—and onto the buyers who fuel the commercial sex market. This model reflects international best practice and aligns with Scotland’s wider commitments to tackling violence against women and girls.

Addressing Vulnerability and Trauma

The letter highlights the deep vulnerabilities that underpin involvement in prostitution. Many affected individuals have experienced childhood abuse, care experience, grooming, and trauma, with young people—particularly those leaving care—at high risk of exploitation. Technology has intensified these risks, expanding opportunities for manipulation.

Human Trafficking Concerns

The Bishops’ Conference also emphasises the Bill’s relevance to combatting human trafficking for sexual exploitation, a significant and documented issue in Scotland. International evidence links reductions in trafficking to demand-reduction legislation. Bishop Brian McGee, Vice-President of the Bishops’ Conference, has contributed insight from his work with the Santa Marta Group, an international alliance dedicated to ending human trafficking. He believes the Bill reflects “the realities identified by trafficked people, law enforcement, and Church agencies around the world.”

Right to Support

A key component of the proposed legislation is the creation of a statutory right to support for anyone currently or previously involved in prostitution. This includes access to accommodation, financial aid, healthcare, and counselling—supports deemed essential for enabling safe and sustainable exits from prostitution.

Call for Political Leadership

Acknowledging differing political opinions, and expecting Parliament to provide considerable scrutiny from which the Bill can benefit, the letter urges the Scottish Government to show leadership by backing the Bill, underscoring its potential to protect vulnerable women and girls, prevent trafficking, and advance equality.

28Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:1-20)

28 Jan, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (Mark 4:1-20)

At that time: Again Jesus began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land. And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them: ‘Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil. And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain. And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.’ And he said, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’

And when he was alone, those around him with the Twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, ‘To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.” ’

And he said to them, ‘Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones along the path, where the word is sown: when they hear, Satan immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. And these are the ones sown on rocky ground: the ones who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with joy. And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. And others are the ones sown among thorns: they are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.’