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

22nd October 2026

22 October 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has announced that he is stepping back from his daily duties until further notice, following medical advice.

Bishop Keenan has been undergoing medical investigations and will require further tests and examinations over the coming weeks.

During this time, Vicar General Monsignor Joe Burke will oversee the day-to-day running of the Diocese of Paisley.

Bishop Keenan hopes to provide a further update once these investigations are concluded and is grateful for your prayers at this time.

...ENDS

Notes for editors

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office. Email: [email protected]

Contact:

Media Office

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

20th October 2026

20 October 2026

Scottish Theologian Appointed to Vatican’s International Theological Commission

Dr Sara Parvis of the University of Edinburgh has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the International Theological Commission for its new five-year term (2026–2031).

The Commission brings together theologians from around the world to advise the Holy See on important questions of Catholic theology and doctrine.

Born in Aberdeen and raised in Edinburgh, Dr Parvis is an Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, specialising in early Christianity, Church history and patristic theology.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Sara on her appointment by Pope Leo to this important Commission.

“This appointment is a recognition of her distinguished theological scholarship and of the contribution Scottish scholars continue to make to the life of the universal Church.

“We wish Sara every blessing as she takes up this important responsibility and assure her of our prayers.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Parvis said:

“It’s a great honour to be appointed to the International Theological Commission, and I’m very pleased to be bringing a Scottish perspective to the conversations the group will be having over the next few years.”

...ENDS

Notes to Editor

Photo of Dr Sara Parvis: Photo of Dr Sara Parvis
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCoS) is the assembly of the Catholic bishops of Scotland, working together on national pastoral, social and legislative matters on behalf of the Church. www.bcos.org.uk
For further information, contact Fr Michael Kane, Director of the Communications and Evangelisation Office, Email: [email protected]

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

October 2026

15Oct

Gospel

15 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:47-54
‘The blood of the prophets may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah.’

At that time: Jesus said, ‘Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute”, so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’
As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

14Oct

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

14 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Rediscover the beauty of confession and the liberating power of God’s mercy through a free formation seminar hosted by the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Taking place on Friday, 23, and Saturday, 24, October, the seminar is open to all the faithful, with a particular welcome for laypeople. It will explore some of the difficulties we may encounter in approaching confession and help deepen our understanding of this sacrament.

You can participate online via YouTube, with simultaneous English interpretation available. The talks will also remain available on YouTube afterwards.

Participation is free, but registration is required for both online and in-person attendance.

14Oct

Gospel

14 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:42-46
‘Woe to you Pharisees!
Woe to you lawyers also!’

At that time: Jesus said, ‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.’
One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.’ And he said, ‘Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.’

13Oct

Scotcast - Church Closures

13 Oct, 2026 | Being Catholic | BCoS Facebook |

Bishop Frank Dougan of Galloway appeared on BBC One’s Scotcast programme last night.

During the programme, Bishop Frank reflected on the challenges and opportunities facing the Church, its changing role in Scottish society, and the importance of faith and community in the years ahead.

You can watch the full programme now on the BBC iPlayer by clicking the link below:

Lynsey Bews talks to the Bishop of Galloway about plans to close dozens of Catholic churches in Scotland.

13Oct

Happy 70th Birthday to Bishop Joseph Toal!

13 Oct, 2026 | Motherwell Diocese | BCoS Facebook |

Happy 70th Birthday to Bishop Joseph Toal! 🎉

Today, the Diocese of Motherwell sends warmest birthday wishes to our Bishop, Bishop Joseph Toal, as he celebrates his 70th birthday.

We give thanks for his faithful service to the Church and for his leadership, care and dedication to the people of our Diocese.

Join us in wishing Bishop Toal a very happy birthday and in keeping him in your prayers today.

Ad multos annos, Bishop Toal! 🙏

13Oct

Gospel

13 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:37-41
‘Give alms, and behold, everything is clean for you.’

At that time: While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. And the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside also? But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.’

12Oct

Gospel

12 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:29-32
‘No sign will be given to this generation except the sign of the Prophet Jonah.’

At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.’

11Oct

Gospel

11 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 22:1-10
‘Invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’

At that time: Jesus again spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people, in parables, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ ” But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.’

10Oct

Gospel

10 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:27-28
‘Blessed is the womb that bore you! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God.’

At that time: As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

09Oct

🌏 WORLDYOUTH DAY 2027 – SEOUL 🇰🇷

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

🌏 WORLDYOUTH DAY 2027 – SEOUL 🇰🇷

Interested in joining young Catholics from around the world for a celebration of faith with Pope Leo XIV?

World Youth Day takes place in Seoul, South Korea, from 3–8 August 2027. Scottish dioceses are preparing pilgrimages. Get in touch below to find out about taking part:

🔹 ARCHDIOCESE OF GLASGOW
Contact the RCAG Youth Office:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 ARCHDIOCESE OF ST ANDREWS & EDINBURGH
Contact the Archdiocesan Youth Office:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 DIOCESE OF PAISLEY
Contact Fr Ryan Black:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 DIOCESE OF ABERDEEN
Contact Sr Angela Marie:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 DIOCESE OF MOTHERWELL
Motherwell is gathering expressions of interest from those who would like to travel. Contact Mishal Novani to express your interest:
📧 [email protected]

Please contact the organising diocese directly for information about age requirements, availability, costs and travel arrangements.

🏴 CELEBRATING WORLD YOUTH DAY HERE IN SCOTLAND

The Diocese of Galloway is bringing the experience closer to home with “Galloway’s Seoul”, a five-day residential event from 7–11 August 2027 at Gowanbank, near Darvel.

Young people will enjoy Mass, prayer, inspiring talks, outdoor activities and friendship, while following the celebrations in Seoul.

Contact Fr Kevin Rennie and the Diocesan Youth Office:
📧 [email protected]