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.

EVENTS

2025 JUBILEE YEAR - OPENING OF FIVE HOLY DOORS IN ROME

The rite of opening the Holy Doors of the main basilicas of Rome to inaugurate the 2025 Jubilee Year is perhaps one of the most solemn events of the Catholic Church, with centuries of tradition.

The pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of the papal basilicas in Rome is a central act of the jubilee. Passing through them during the holy year symbolises entry into a new life in Christ and the beginning of a journey of conversion.

On Dec. 24 at 7 p.m. local time, Pope Francis will open the first and most important of them, that of St. Peter’s Basilica, beginning the Jubilee of Hope 2025, in which 30 million people are expected to participate. Later that evening he will celebrate Christmas Mass, the Nativity of Our Lord.

On Dec. 26, the day after Christmas, Pope Francis will open the Holy Door in the Rebibbia Prison in Our Father church.

On Sunday, Dec. 29, the Holy Door of Rome’s cathedral, St. John Lateran Basilica, will open.

On Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis will also open the Holy Door of St. Mary Major Basilica.

The last door to open will be that of the fourth main basilica of the Eternal City, St. Paul Outside the Walls, on Jan. 5.

BISHOPS RELEASE STATEMENT ON FOSSIL FUEL NON-PROLIFERATION AND JUST TRANSITION

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland (BCOS) have released a statement encouraging world leaders to agree to and establish a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, committing all nations to a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels. The statement, which is released to mark the COP29 climate summit taking place in Azerbaijan from 11th – 22nd November, calls on Scotland to play its role in realising the common good by participating in a swift transition away from fossil fuels to protect people and our planet, both now and in the future, from further global warming caused by fossil fuel extraction. Crucially, in recognising the workers and communities in Scotland who rely on fossil fuel industries for their livelihood, the statement emphasises that any such transition must have justice at its core and ensure that no one is left behind, particularly those currently employed in this sector who must be ensured secure work in the move towards renewables. The full text of the statement can be downloaded here.

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

July 2024

07Jul

Son of Mary: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

07 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://stpaulcenter.com/audio/sunday-bible-reflections/son-of-mary-scott-hahn-reflects-on-the-fourteenth-sunday-in-ordinary-time/

As we've walked with the apostles in the Gospels in recent weeks, we've witnessed Jesus command the wind and sea, and order a little girl to arise from the dead. But He seems to meet His match in His hometown of Nazareth. Today's Gospel is blunt: "He was not able to perform any mighty de

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06Jul

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

06 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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06Jul

Saint Maria Goretti | Franciscan Media

06 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-maria-goretti/

Saint Maria Goretti has captured the love and affection of thousands of people because of the simplicity and purity of her life.

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06Jul

5 July 2024

06 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

5 July 2024

Dear Bishop Kenneth,

Greetings from Scotland! I am aware that the Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, including yourself, are meeting in Synod at this time.

On the occasion of your meeting, may I ask you kindly to communicate to His Beatitude Sviatoslav and to all the Bishop Members of the Synod the warm fraternal greetings of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Scotland. We wish to assure you of our continuing prayerful solidarity with your Church and its faithful, and indeed with all the people of Ukraine, during this time of suffering. We also renew our willingness to assist you in any way we can as you minister to the Greek-Catholic faithful in Scotland.

Yours fraternally in Christ,

+Hugh Gilbert OSB
Bishop of Aberdeen,
President of the Bishops Conference of Scotland

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05Jul

Pope's Schedule for Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania - Vatican News

05 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-07/schedule-pope-journey-indoniesia-papua-timor-leste-singapore.html

Pope Francis' complete schedule for his journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore is released.

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04Jul

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

04 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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03Jul

Through the Valley

03 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NCsCkM_23c
This is a link to a short film by the Bishops’ Conference of Ireland on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phase of life, inspired by the document “Samaritanus bonus” from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Through the Valley

A short film on the care of persons in the critical and terminal phase of life inspired by the document “Samaritanus bonus” from the Congregation for the Doc...

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03Jul

Please pray for all priests and deacons celebrating their anniversaries at this time 🙏

03 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Please pray for all priests and deacons celebrating their anniversaries at this time 🙏

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03Jul

Saint Thomas | Franciscan Media

03 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-thomas/

We don’t know a lot about Saint Thomas the Apostle, but tradition has it that he traveled to and preached the gospel in India, where he was eventually martyred. His name means “twin,” and due to his skepticism, he is also known as “Doubting Thomas.”

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02Jul

Ukraine mourning after attack on southern town - Vatican News

02 Jul, 2024 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2024-06/ukraine-mourning-after-attack-on-southern-town.html

Local authorities in Ukraine declared a day of mourning on Sunday after Russian missiles reportedly slammed into a town in southern Ukraine, killing ...

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