The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

March 2026

25Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Last week, a Day of Prayer and Reflection was held alongside a Spring Coffee Morning, raising funds in support of the SCIAF Wee Box Lenten campaign for the people of Ethiopia at St. Vincent de Paul Parish East Kilbride.

Bringing together prayer, reflection and community, the event offered a meaningful way for parishioners to put their Lenten faith into action through generosity and solidarity with those most in need.

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Holy Mass of the Solemnity of the Annunciation | 25 March 2026

25 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Solemnity of the Annunciation | 25 March 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

25Mar

The Solemnity of the Annunciation centres on one extraordinary truth: God became one of us

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Solemnity of the Annunciation centres on one extraordinary truth: God became one of us. As told in Luke 1:26 to 38, the eternal plan of God is fulfilled as the Son takes on our human nature. The Incarnation is the moment when heaven touches earth in love.

In accepting our humanity, Jesus embraces all creation and freely chooses a path of suffering and self giving love for our salvation. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Mary holds a unique place in this mystery. Chosen by God from all eternity to be the mother of his Son, she cooperates fully with grace. Her yes makes room for God to act. Everything she is and everything she does is the work of God’s grace within her.

United with her Son in obedience to the Father’s will, Mary becomes the link between heaven and earth. In her humility and trust, she shows what God’s grace can accomplish in a human life.

The Annunciation reminds us that the Incarnation is not only a moment in history. It reveals what God desires for all of us: to receive his love and reflect it in our ordinary lives.

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Gospel

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
‘Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.’

At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
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In every diocese during Holy Week, the Church gathers for the Chrism Mass

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In every diocese during Holy Week, the Church gathers for the Chrism Mass.

During this Mass:
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📍 Find your diocesan Chrism Mass time here:

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Congratulations to the P7 pupils of St Andrew’s Primary School Gorebridge, who presented Marie-Alice with a £420 cheque in suppo...

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Congratulations to the P7 pupils of St Andrew’s Primary School Gorebridge, who presented Marie-Alice with a £420 cheque in support of Mary’s Meals.

With the support of their teachers, the class organised a fantastic Pancake Party, raising funds through a joyful and generous Lenten initiative.

Such was the success of the event that the school now hopes to make it an annual tradition.

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Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Parishioners gathered recently to celebrate and give thanks for the ministry of Father Andrew, marking his departure for a new chapter in Orkney.

It was a joyful and memorable evening, as the parish came together to wish him well and assure him of their prayers for the future.

24Mar

Gospel

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
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‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Pharisees, ‘I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ So the Jews said, ‘Will he kill himself, since he says, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

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“Trust in God still…”

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

“Trust in God still…”

Join us this June for a Festival of Synodality — a day of encounter, listening, and renewal in the life of the Church in Scotland.

📅 Saturday 6th June
📍 Glasgow Caledonian University

Book your place today.
http://bit.ly/synodality26

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Votive Mass of St. Ninian, Bishop

23 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Votive Mass of St. Ninian, Bishop