• edinburgh1
  • fortrose1
  • Slider1
  • paisley1
  • ayr1
  • edinburgh2
  • Slider1
  • glasgow1
  • oban1
  • ayr2

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

25th May 2026



25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland


Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

June 2026
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you." - Jeremiah 1:5

The 'Day for Life' 2026 message, shared by the three Bishops' Conferences of Scotland, England and Wales, and Ireland offers a reflection on this year's theme - 'The Wonder of the Child in the Womb.'

To read the full pastoral letter, visit: https://www.bcos.org.uk/dayforlife













Read More
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you." - Jeremiah 1:5

The 'Day for Life' 2026 message, shared by the three Bishops' Conferences of England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland offers a reflection on this year's theme - 'The Wonder of the Child in the Womb.'













Read More
Holy Mass of the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 21 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Read More
Gospel
Matthew 10:26-33
‘Do not fear those who kill the body.’

At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: ‘Have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father knowing. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.’

Read More
We offer our congratulations to Fr Kieran Burt, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood for the Diocese of Motherwell by Bishop Joseph Toal yesterday, 19 June, at St Joseph’s Church, Blantyre.

At 25 years old, Fr Kieran is Scotland’s youngest priest. His ordination is a joyful occasion not only for the Diocese of Motherwell, 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 Kieran 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 Kieran abundantly as he begins this new chapter of his vocation.

Read More
Holy Mass of the Sick | 20 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Read More
Gospel
Matthew 6:24-34
‘Do not be anxious about tomorrow.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
‘Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’

Read More
Pope Leo XIV has sent his blessing to all those preparing to mark Day for Life 2026.

Reflecting on this year's theme, *The Wonder of the Child in the Womb*, the Holy Father reminds us that every human being is endowed with an infinite dignity "simply by virtue of existing, of having been willed, created and loved by God."

Pope Leo also offers his prayers for parents who have experienced the loss of a child, asking that they may find comfort, peace and support through the life of the Church.

As we prepare for Day for Life this Sunday, 21 June, let us continue to bear witness to the wonder and dignity of every human life.

#DayForLife #DayForLife2026





Read More
Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood of Rev. Kieran Burt

Read More
Holy Mass of Thanksgiving on the Retirement of Mrs Caroline Docherty | 19 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Read More
Page 1 of 282 FirstPrevious [1]