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

30th July 2026

30 July 2026

Bishop Welcomes Prime Minister’s Call to Prioritise Care Reforms Before Westminster Assisted Suicide Vote

Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop with responsibility for Marriage, Family and Life for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for the serious gaps in palliative and social care to be addressed before the Westminster Parliament considers assisted suicide legislation.

Bishop Keenan said:

“The Prime Minister’s intervention is both timely and welcome. We have a duty to ensure that every person approaching the end of life has access to the compassionate palliative and social care they deserve. No one should ever feel driven towards assisted suicide because they lack the care, support or dignity they need.

“We were grateful that the Scottish Parliament resolutely rejected assisted suicide only recently. We hope this latest intervention will encourage Members of the Westminster Parliament to reflect carefully before taking a step that would fundamentally change the way our society cares for the sick and vulnerable.

“As our Catholic Parliamentary Officer, Anthony Horan, has rightly said: ‘The last thing the country needs is another divisive debate about assisted suicide. We need to make progress in improving palliative and social care, not offering vulnerable people state support to end their lives.’ I share that conviction wholeheartedly.

“This is an opportunity to rethink the whole approach to assisted suicide. The compassionate response to suffering is never to help people end their lives, but to ensure they receive the high-quality care, love and accompaniment they need. Let us pray for all who are seriously ill, for their families and carers, and for those in public office, that they may always uphold the dignity of every human life and work to build a society that truly cares for its most vulnerable members.”

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2026

09Jan

Gospel of the day (Luke 5:12-16)

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

Gospel of the day (Luke 5:12-16)

While Jesus was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but ‘go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

08Jan

The first Extraordinary Consistory concluded this evening, but the next gathering is already scheduled

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

The first Extraordinary Consistory concluded this evening, but the next gathering is already scheduled. Pope Leo XIV announced that a further two-day Extraordinary Consistory will take place in June, close to the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, bringing Cardinals from across the world back to the Vatican.

The announcement was made by Pope Leo XIV himself during his concluding address at this afternoon’s third and final session, which was attended by 170 Cardinals.

The Holy Father explained that the June meeting will be in continuity with the requests that emerged from the general congregations prior to the Conclave. He also expressed his hope that Extraordinary Consistories might be held annually in the future.

Pope Leo XIV also reaffirmed that the Ecclesial Assembly announced last March will take place in October 2028.

08Jan

Holy Mass of Thursday after the Epiphany | 08 January 2026

08 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Thursday after the Epiphany | 08 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

08Jan

Gospel of the day (Luke 4:14-22a)

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

Gospel of the day (Luke 4:14-22a)

At that time: Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll, and found the place where it was written,

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

And he rolled up the scroll, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ And all spoke well of him and marvelled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.

07Jan

The new Young Adults series, in Diocese of Paisley, will focus on the Doctors of the Church

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

The new Young Adults series, in Diocese of Paisley, will focus on the Doctors of the Church. The series begins on Wednesday 14th January at 7pm in the Diocesan Office. The first in the series will be a talk on St Augustine by Fr Joe McGill.

All catholics age 18-35 are welcome.

For more information contact:
Fr. Joe McGill - [email protected]
Fr Paul Laverty - [email protected]

07Jan

The January 2026 'Safeguarding Matters' newsletter, from Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, brings news of some im...

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

The January 2026 'Safeguarding Matters' newsletter, from Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, brings news of some important developments planned for 2026 and features the following:
▶️ highlights of the 2025 National Safeguarding Conference
▶️ news of an important consultation on Clergy Safeguarding Training
▶️ news of the latest PSC training package
▶️ a summary of Safeguarding developments being planned for 2026

CLICK here to read: http://bit.ly/4qFznAa

07Jan

Pope Leo has convened an Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which takes place on Wednesday 7 January and Thursday 8 January ...

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

Pope Leo has convened an Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which takes place on Wednesday 7 January and Thursday 8 January at the Vatican.

The two-day gathering will reflect on key themes shaping the life and mission of the Church today.

During the Consistory, the Holy Father will meet with members of the College of Cardinals to encourage shared discernment and to receive their support and counsel in the governance of the universal Church.

The Consistory opens this afternoon at 4.00pm in the Synod Hall and will take place behind closed doors.

Tomorrow, Pope Leo XIV will concelebrate Mass with the cardinals at the Altar of the Chair in St Peter’s Basilica. The morning session will run from 9.30am to 12.45pm in the Synod Hall, followed by an afternoon session from 3.15pm to 7.00pm, concluding the gathering.

📸© Mazur/cbcew.org.uk

07Jan

Holy Mass of Wednesday after the Epiphany | 07 January 2026

07 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Wednesday after the Epiphany | 07 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

07Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 6:45-52)

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

Gospel of the day (Mark 6:45-52)

After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied: Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’ And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

06Jan

Today in St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door, formally bringing the Jubilee to a close

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

Today in St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV closed the Holy Door, formally bringing the Jubilee to a close.

Yet, as the Pope reminded the faithful, while the door may be shut, the mercy of God never is. He continues to strengthen the weary and pour out his goodness on all who place their trust in him.

📸 Vatican Media