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

17th May 2026

17 May 2026

Pastoral Letter - Communications Sunday 2026

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.’

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I want to share with you an encounter I had recently before Sunday Mass. A young man appeared outside the Cathedral as the regulars were entering. He had never been inside, and he asked if it was ok for him to go in even though he was a stranger. Obviously, the answer was yes, and the Adminstrator of the Cathedral asked one of the parishioners to sit with him so he wasn’t on his own. After Mass, he came out, happy to have been there and said he would be back. And he did come back.

The next time, after Mass, I asked him to tell me what brought him here. In short, he said he had grown up with no particular faith and, in his adulthood, decided to investigate Christianity online so he could disprove it. But things went in an entirely different direction, and he began to see the truth of the Christian faith, and he determined to come to a Catholic church. When I asked him why he came to this specific church, he said he had checked it out online first and felt it was the right place for him.

I don’t know where his story will end, but I do know this looks like a story of evangelisation, one where the Lord has spoken in his heart and somehow steered him in our direction. And a large part of that was through the digital world. It was there that he made his first connection with the Church and, from there, that he decided to make the next step. However, that’s just the start. It’s not the end point: that comes through the personal encounter with Christ face-to-face in the Church. But it can be one important contact that starts the journey of faith.

Don’t get me wrong, we will never get away from the fact that the principal evangelisers in the Church are those who have already heard the Word of God and answered his call to discipleship: that’s you I’m talking about. We all have a role to play in witnessing to our faith; in loving God and our neighbour openly and with courage; in reflecting the joy of the Gospel.

But as a Church we have always supported this universal duty to be evangelisers by using all the means at our disposal to reach out to our brothers and sisters in all places. And as part of our mission, the National Office for Communications and Evangelisation is at your service and Christ’s service.

Over the past year, among other things,

we have expanded our digital footprint on social media;
we have supported the Church’s prophetic voice most notably in the lead-up to the Holyrood vote on assisted suicide;
we have worked with other partners in the Church to advance their missions;
and we have sought to communicate more clearly the work of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

It is still early days, and we are just getting started. And inevitably, I am going to ask some things of you:

Pray! As missionaries, we work with and for the Lord, so we start by asking him to be with us and the Spirit to enliven us;
Be a public Catholic! Don’t be shy and be happy to let others know what your faith means to you. Do not underestimate the value of your personal witness;
And yes, I am going to ask for financial support. If we are to use the means of communications at our disposal then the bare fact is that it costs money, so I ask you to give what you can to the collection.

The Good News is that the story of that young man who appeared at the door of the Cathedral is one repeated in churches across the country. There is a hunger amongst many people that can only be satisfied by the love of God made present in Jesus Christ. Let us all play our part in communicating that love of God and welcoming our brothers and sisters into the family of God.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Frank Dougan
Bishop of Galloway

Contact:

Media Office

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

March 2026

07Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

As Scotland approaches a decisive vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, important questions are being raised about the impact this legislation could have on vulnerable people, healthcare and the value our society places on every human life.

Anthony Horan, Director of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, sets out these concerns in an opinion piece titled “Why MSPs Must Reject Assisted Suicide".

Read the key points in the slides below.

07Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
‘Your brother was dead, and is alive.’

At that time: The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’
So he told them this parable: ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.” And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
‘But when he came to himself, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ ”
‘And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” And they began to celebrate.
‘Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.” But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, “Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!” And he said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” ’

06Mar

Scotland is being asked to consider a Bill that would introduce assisted suicide into our law

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

Scotland is being asked to consider a Bill that would introduce assisted suicide into our law. Many people believe it is only about helping a very small number of people at the very end of life.

But the legislation goes much further than that. Under the proposals, any adult with an advanced and progressive illness or condition from which they cannot recover could be eligible. That could apply to far more people than many realise.

There are also serious concerns about the impact on healthcare. The proposals would allow doctors to raise the possibility of assisted suicide even when a patient has not asked about it, raising questions about the trust at the heart of the doctor–patient relationship.

At the same time, palliative care in Scotland remains underfunded and difficult to access for many people who need it. Surely our priority should be improving care and support for those facing serious illness.

Every human life has dignity and worth, especially those who are most vulnerable.

📩 Ask your MSP to reject this Bill: carenotkilling.scot

06Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him.’

At that time: Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Hear another parable. There was a master of a house who planted a vineyard and put a fence round it and dug a wine press in it and built a tower and leased it to tenants, and went into another country. When the season for fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to get his fruit. And the tenants took his servants and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than at first. And they did the same to them. Finally he sent his son to them, saying, “They will respect my son.” But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, “This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and have his inheritance.” And they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. When therefore the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’
They said to him, ‘He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the fruits in their seasons.’
Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes”? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.’
When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they were seeking to arrest him, they feared the crowds, because they held him to be a prophet.

05Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 16:19-31
‘You received good things, and Lazarus bad things; now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Pharisees, ‘There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not do so, and none may cross from there to us.” And he said, “Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house — for I have five brothers — so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” But Abraham said, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” And he said, “No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.” He said to him, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” ’

04Mar

This Lent, the Commission for Marriage, Family and Life is inviting families to enter the desert with Christ

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

This Lent, the Commission for Marriage, Family and Life is inviting families to enter the desert with Christ.

Across the country, couples and families will be praying a nightly decade of the Rosary, supporting one another as we walk with Jesus during these 40 days.

When you sign up, you will receive simple materials to help you create a prayer space in your home, along with access to a digital community sharing intentions and encouragement. As Easter approaches, there will also be an opportunity to take part in a retreat with focused talks for married couples and families.

Let this Lent be a time of deeper prayer, stronger family bonds, and renewed love for Christ.

Join us today and walk this journey together.
http://bit.ly/lentrosary

04Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 20:17-28
‘They will condemn him to death.’

At that time: As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.’
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, ‘What do you want?’ She said to him, ‘Say that these two sons of mine are to sit one at your right hand and one at your left in your kingdom.’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able.’ He said to them, ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’ And when the Ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’

03Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 23:1-12
‘They preach, but do not practise.’

At that time: Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practise. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honour at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.’

02Mar

Catholic Families for Life Newsletter – Issue 10 (March 2026) Now Available

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

Catholic Families for Life Newsletter – Issue 10 (March 2026) Now Available

The latest edition of the Catholic Families for Life Newsletter has been published for Lent by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Commission for Marriage, Family & Life.

In this issue:

▪️ A Lenten message from Bishop John Keenan
▪️ National Lent Rosary Initiative for families
▪️ Assisted Dying Bill update and how to engage
▪️ World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

This Lent, we are invited to renew prayer in our homes, support marriage and family life, and be strong witnesses to the dignity of every human person.

📲 Read the full newsletter here:
🌐 https://shorturl.at/BIlGQ

02Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗦𝗣𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲

A coalition of senior Christian leaders from across Scotland has issued an open letter to all Members of the Scottish Parliament, calling on them to vote against the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill at the upcoming Stage 3 debate.

In their joint letter, the leaders warn that while the intention to relieve suffering is deeply understood, legalising assisted dying would “undermine human dignity” and place vulnerable people at risk. They argue that no set of safeguards can fully protect those who are elderly, disabled, or who may feel they are a burden to others.

The letter emphasises that true compassion lies not in enabling death but in committing to high‑quality care at the end of life. The leaders call for greater investment in palliative and end-of-life services so that no one faces pain, fear, or loneliness without adequate support.

They highlight international concerns, noting that courts and legislatures in Canada and Australia—countries where assisted dying has been legalised—have since faced challenges including expanded eligibility, pressure on safeguards, and reported risks of coercion and misuse.

The signatories urge MSPs to “stand for the equal worth and dignity of every human life” by rejecting the legislation.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill presents a profound risk to Scotland’s most vulnerable, leaving them exposed to coercion from abusive partners, family and wider society. It offers no meaningful safeguards for the elderly, disabled, and those who feel they are a burden, and threatens trust between doctors and patients.

With palliative care already underfunded and overstretched, this Bill replaces care with lethal options. I urge MSPs to defend the dignity of every human life until its natural end and to protect the vulnerable by voting against this Bill.”

Signatories
Rt Rev. Rosemary Frew, Moderator, Church of Scotland
Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland
Rev Alasdair Macleod, Moderator, Free Church of Scotland
Rev Martin Keane, Moderator, United Free Church of Scotland
Major David Burns, Executive Secretary to Leadership (Scotland), Salvation Army
Andy Hunter, Director for Scotland, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches
Alistair Matheson, Scottish Regional Superintendent for the Apostolic Church UK

The full letter can be read below.