The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Today the Church celebrates Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor of the Church, one of the most influential figures in the Church of the 12th century.

Born in Burgundy in 1090, Bernard entered the monastery of Cîteaux as a young man, accompanied by a remarkable number of relatives and friends whom he had inspired to embrace the monastic life.

Only a few years later, Bernard was sent to establish a new monastery at Clairvaux, the “Valley of Light”, where he became abbot. Under his leadership, Clairvaux flourished and became a centre of the Cistercian renewal, which sought a simpler and more faithful observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict.

Although Bernard longed for the quiet life of prayer and contemplation, his wisdom and influence increasingly drew him into the affairs of the wider Church. He advised popes and bishops, helped resolve disputes and played an important role in ending a serious schism within the Church.

Bernard was also a gifted theologian, Scripture scholar and preacher. At the heart of his spirituality was a profound love for Jesus Christ and a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His sermons and writings on prayer, humility, love and the spiritual life continue to influence Christians today.

At the request of Pope Eugene III, a former monk of Clairvaux, Bernard preached in support of the Second Crusade. Its eventual failure caused him considerable sorrow and remains a complex and difficult part of his legacy.

Despite his enormous influence across Europe, Bernard remained at heart a monk who desired a life centred upon God.

He died at Clairvaux on 20 August 1153. He was canonised in 1174 and, in 1830, Pope Pius VIII declared him a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Bernard reminds us that a life of contemplation and prayer is not a withdrawal from the needs of the Church and the world, but can become the source of faithful service to both.

🙏 Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, pray for us.

𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

Scotland’s Catholic bishops have joined other religious leaders in welcoming a new £1 million fund to cover the cost of repairs to listed buildings in Scotland.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland, and Rt. Rev. Gordon Kennedy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said the money will provide much-needed support to maintain historically significant assets at the heart of community life.

The Scotland Places of Worship Fund will open this autumn to help congregations – from any faith group or denomination – recover VAT costs associated with repair works if they worship in a listed building.

The pilot scheme was developed in response to the closure of the previous UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme earlier this year, which sent shockwaves throughout faith communities.

The Scottish Churches Leaders’ Forum and the Scottish Churches Committee urged the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure that listed places of worship are not disproportionately affected by the decision to end the grant scheme in Scotland.

Church members were invited to write to their local elected representatives asking them to lobby the Scottish Government to launch a substitute scheme to ease the financial pressure on congregations.

The money will be made available through the existing Historic Environment Scotland (HES) grants budget and is a standalone scheme.

Bishop Keenan said: “We warmly welcome Historic Environment Scotland's announcement of the Places of Worship Fund pilot for Scotland, which recognises the vital contribution that churches and other places of worship make to Scotland's heritage and community life.”

“The fund will provide much-needed support for the care and conservation of these important buildings, helping to address the loss of the previous UK-wide scheme.”

“We look forward to engaging constructively with Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government as the pilot progresses and to discussions on establishing a permanent, sustainable funding arrangement for the future.”

Commenting on the announcement, the Rt. Rev. Gordon Kennedy said:

“I’m very grateful for the support of HES and the Scottish Government in recognising the importance of places of worship, which are so often cherished by people beyond members of the congregation.”

“We know how difficult it is for communities to lose their place of worship, and support for repairs and maintenance will help keep more places warm, wind and watertight, and it makes it just a wee bit easier for local volunteers to care for these historic assets.”

Religious leaders are encouraging eligible parishes and communities to consider applying when the fund opens for applications later this year. Detailed information can be found at:

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/hes-launches-pilot-fund-to-support-scotlands-historic-places-of-worship/

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the Twentieth Week of Ordinary Time | 19 August 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Twentieth Week of Ordinary Time | 18 August 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗙 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲

SCIAF has launched an emergency appeal to support communities affected by the powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Colombia.

The earthquake struck the remote Chocó region, where SCIAF has active projects. At least 224 people have been killed and more than 2,600 injured, while around 1,100 homes are believed to have been destroyed and a further 8,000 damaged.

Health centres, schools and community buildings have also been affected. With communications disrupted and thousands of people still missing, these figures are expected to rise as news reaches authorities from the most remote communities.

SCIAF has worked in Colombia since the 1980s and has immediately released £10,000 from its emergency funds to help local partners respond.

Geraldine Hill, SCIAF’s Programme Officer for Colombia, said: “It’s heart-breaking to see communities in Chocó bear the brunt of this latest earthquake. These communities are already very poor and live surrounded by violence; the earthquake is just the latest challenge to confront them.

“Our local Caritas partners are already there, working tirelessly to provide emergency relief where it’s needed most. Please support this response through SCIAF’s appeal.”

To support SCIAF’s Colombia Earthquake Appeal, please visit sciaf.org.uk/colombia-earthquake or call 0141 354 5555.

Please keep all those affected, those awaiting news of loved ones and the emergency teams responding to this tragedy in your prayers.