The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

13th April 2026

13 April 2026

Peace and Dialogue: the Gospel Response to Conflict

The Bishops of Scotland today renew their urgent appeal to political leaders across the world to pursue peace with courage, determination, and sincerity. In a time marked by deepening conflict and human suffering, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan, the need for dialogue and diplomatic solutions has never been more pressing.

War brings devastation, loss, and division. It leaves lasting wounds in families, communities, and nations, and it disproportionately harms the innocent. The Bishops call on all those in positions of authority to reject the path of escalation and instead commit themselves to meaningful dialogue, patient negotiation, and the difficult but necessary work of peacebuilding.

The Bishops express their gratitude to Pope Leo for his clear and consistent voice in calling for peace. His leadership continues to be a guiding light for the Church and the world at this critical time.

Reflecting on the Holy Father’s recent Vigil for Peace held last Saturday, the Bishops highlight his powerful words:
“Let us silence the weapons, so that the voice of humanity may be heard. Let us choose encounter over confrontation, and the courage of peace over the illusion of power.”

The Bishops of Scotland invite Catholics across our country to join the Holy Father in this appeal. In parishes, homes, and communities, we continue to pray fervently for an end to violence and for the triumph of justice and reconciliation.

The Bishops urge all people of goodwill to stand together in hope. Peace is not beyond reach - but it requires genuine humility, courage, and a shared commitment to the dignity of every human life.

As the Holy Father begins his apostolic journey to several countries in Africa as a missionary of peace, we assure him of our continued prayers and solidarity.

Image: Pope Leo XIV by Edgar Beltrán / Wikimedia Commons

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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

December 2025

11Dec

Be part of the very first Stella Maris Lourdes Pilgrimage!

11 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Be part of the very first Stella Maris Lourdes Pilgrimage!

Monday 25 – Saturday 30 May 2026

Stella Maris warmly invites all serving and retired seafarers, fishers, and their family members or carers to join them for six grace-filled days in Lourdes; a time for prayer and community in the beautiful sanctuary of Our Lady.

This pilgrimage is fully funded, including travel, accommodation, and meals.

If you’d like to register your interest or find out more, please get in touch:

Dcn John Fogarty
📧 [email protected] | 📞 07986 723015

Hugh Ramsay
📧 [email protected] | 📞 07432 654032

10Dec

LIVE from the Vatican | General Audience with Pope Leo XIV | December 10, 2025

10 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In today’s Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflected on the mystery of death, reminding us that although every creature dies, our desire for eternity makes death feel like a contradiction. He noted that modern society often hides death or treats it as a taboo, even though only by facing it honestly do we learn how to live well.

The Pope said that knowing we will die can weigh on us, but it also invites us to discern what truly matters. St Alphonsus Liguori taught that meditating on death helps us choose what leads us to God and let go of what is superficial.

Pope Leo also cautioned against modern ideas that promise “immortality” through technology and asked whether science can really defeat death or guarantee happiness if it could.

The Holy Father reminded us that only Christ’s Resurrection sheds full light on death. In Jesus, death becomes a passage to eternal life, not the end. Christ has gone before us, conquered death by love, and prepared a place where we are awaited.

Because of Him, like St Francis, we can call death “sister”, trusting that it leads us to the fullness of life without end.

From St. Peter's Square | General Audience with Pope Leo XIV.👉🏻 Sign up for our newsletter here: https://bit.ly/ewtnvatican Let us know where you are wat...

09Dec

The YOUNGEST PRIEST in Switzerland: For Pete's Sake: A Vatican Podcast

09 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Fr Aiden Matheson is one of four young men ordained to the priesthood in Scotland this year, and his story offers a remarkable window into the journey of vocation.

In this interview, he reflects on the influences that shaped him: his background, the period of discernment that led him to say “yes,” and his formation in Rome.

"For Pete's Sake: A Vatican podcast" returns this week with guest Fr. Aiden, the youngest priest from Scotland who was recently ordained here in Rome. Fr. Ai...

09Dec

We are deeply moved to share a heartfelt letter by Fr

09 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

We are deeply moved to share a heartfelt letter by Fr. John Berinyuy Tata, Vice Chancellor of Pax Higher Institute in Cameroon.

He sent the following letter to Bishop Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell Diocese.

LETTER OF GRATITUDE

I write with a heart overflowing with gratitude to God and to you for the fraternal love, spiritual solidarity, and unwavering prayer you offered during my recent captivity in Baba I. For two weeks, when uncertainty and danger surrounded me, your prayers rose like incense before the throne of God, becoming for me a shield of grace and a source of profound consolation.

Though you were far away in Scotland, your closeness was tangible.
Your intercession strengthened my spirit.
Your compassion lightened my burden.
Your faith reminded me that the Body of Christ is truly one united across continents, cultures, and circumstances.

To My Lord Bishop, thank you for holding me in your paternal heart, for encouraging your clergy and faithful to pray for my safety, and for showing such genuine pastoral concern. To the priests and religious, thank you for offering Masses, rosaries, and personal sacrifices on my behalf. To the Christian faithful of Motherwell, thank you for every prayer whispered, every candle lit, and every intention offered. I assure you that not a single act of charity is forgotten before God.

In the quiet and darkness of captivity, your prayers became rays of light sustaining my hope. I experienced in a very real way the power of the communion of saints and the strength of the universal Church standing as one family. Please accept my heartfelt thanks. May the Lord reward each one of you a hundredfold. I continue to hold you in my prayers and ask God to bless the Diocese of Motherwell with peace, joy, and abundant grace.

With renewed gratitude and fraternal affection,
I remain,
Fr. John Berinyuy Tata
Vice Chancellor

08Dec

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Did you know?

On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope visits Piazza di Spagna in Rome to honour Our Lady with prayers and a gift of white roses. Pope Leo XIV continued this beautiful tradition today at the statue of the Immaculate Conception near the Spanish Steps.

Vatican 📷

08Dec

Today, we mark the 60th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today, we mark the 60th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. The influences of Vatican II can be seen in every aspect of the modern Church – in our understanding of divine revelation, the universal call to holiness, the sacred liturgy, religious freedom, ecumenical dialogue, the participation of the laity in the life of the Church, and so much more.

Find out more about the Council at: https://ow.ly/Gn7Q50XFKYu

08Dec

A small band of pilgrims braved the December weather on Saturday to walk a stage of the Fife Pilgrim Way, from the historic burg...

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A small band of pilgrims braved the December weather on Saturday to walk a stage of the Fife Pilgrim Way, from the historic burgh of Culross to the National Shrine to St Margaret in Dunfermline, where they joined the local congregation for Vigil Mass. The pilgrimage was led by Fr Cyriac and Deacon Pat Carrigan.

08Dec

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, the solemn dogma defined by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1854.

Through the centuries the Church has become ever more aware that Mary, "full of grace" through God, was redeemed from the moment of her conception.

That is what the dogma of the Immaculate Conception confesses, as Blessed Pope Pius IX proclaimed on December 8, 1854: "The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin." —Catechism of the Catholic Church

08Dec

Think of the Common Good | Heartbeat

08 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, joins Peter Kearney for a conversation on the proposals to legalise assisted suicide and to allow abortion up to the point of birth in Scotland.

In this week's Heartbeat, Peter sits down with Bishop John Keenan, William brings us the news from home and abroad, and Catherine shares her views on the ret...

07Dec

Fr Paul invites all who use British Sign Language to join him each Sunday for Holy Mass at St Augustine’s, Milton at 12noon

07 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Fr Paul invites all who use British Sign Language to join him each Sunday for Holy Mass at St Augustine’s, Milton at 12noon.

This weekly Mass is a dedicated space for the deaf community to come together as we celebrate Holy Mass. .