The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

29th April 2026

29 April 2026

Bishops' Conference of Scotland welcomes dismissal of "buffer zone" charges against Rose Docherty in Glasgow

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes Sheriff Stuart Reid’s dismissal of two criminal charges alleging “influencing” within a “buffer zone” against Rose Docherty, brought under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024.

Mrs Docherty was arrested last September near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after offering a consensual conversation and holding a sign reading: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”.

On Monday, Sheriff Reid dismissed the case against Rose, finding that the Procurator Fiscal had “failed to disclose an offence known to the law of Scotland”.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes the court’s decision to dismiss the charges brought against Rose Docherty. The ruling is an important reminder that peaceful, consensual conversation in a public place is protected, and that criminal offences must be clearly and properly made out on the evidence. This case should prompt a careful and thorough review of how "safe access zone” powers are applied so that they do not infringe fundamental rights."

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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March 2026

29Mar

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection for 29 March 2026

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

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection for 29 March 2026

29Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 21:1-11
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’

When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, ‘Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, “The Lord needs them”, and he will send them at once.’ This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Say to the daughter of Sion, “Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” ’
The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!’ And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, ‘Who is this?’ And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.’

28Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
John 11:45-56
‘To gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.’

At that time: Many of the Jews, who had come with Mary and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him, but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, ‘What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our Place and our nation.’ But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.’ He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.
Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves. They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the Temple, ‘What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?’

27Mar

As we approach the upcoming elections, the Church invites Catholics to reflect prayerfully and responsibly on their vote

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

As we approach the upcoming elections, the Church invites Catholics to reflect prayerfully and responsibly on their vote.

Our Election Briefing Pack is now available, offering guidance to help form your conscience in light of the Gospel.

The Church does not tell anyone who to vote for but encourages all to engage thoughtfully and with integrity.

📄 Read it here: https://rcpolitics.org/scottish-parliament-election-2026/

27Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
John 10:31-42
‘They sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.’

At that time: The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?’ The Jews answered him, ‘It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Is it not written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and Scripture cannot be broken — do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, “You are blaspheming,” because I said, “I am the Son of God”? If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.’ Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.
He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptising at first, and there he remained. And many came to him. And they said, ‘John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.’ And many believed in him there.

26Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

The children of St Augustine’s Church Milton led the Stations of the Cross during the week, offering a prayerful and moving reflection on the journey of Christ’s Passion.

Through their narration and beautiful signing, they helped the congregation to enter more deeply into this time of Lenten prayer and reflection, supported by many from the parish community.

26Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

The Diocese of Galloway Youth leaders travelled across the RC Diocese of Galloway last week, visiting schools in East Ayrshire, Troon, Kilwinning and the Three Towns.

Speaking to pupils from P5–P7, they have been sharing details of upcoming events and encouraging young people to get involved in the life of the Church.

A great witness to the ongoing work of youth ministry across the Diocese.
📲 Find out more and register: youth.rcdg.org.uk

26Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
John 8:51-59
‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Jews, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.’ The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, “He is our God.” But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.’ So the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the Temple.

25Mar

What does parish renewal look like for us?

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

What does parish renewal look like for us?

Explore this question at the Divine Renovation Open House Scotland, with keynote speaker Fr James Mallon.

📅 Saturday 25 April
📍 Uddingston

Register now: https://divinerenovation.org/calendar/open-house-scotland/

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.