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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

May 2026

14May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

14May

Christ’s Ascension marks the fulfilment of His victory over death

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

Christ’s Ascension marks the fulfilment of His victory over death. Forty days after Easter, the risen Lord returns to the Father, taking with Him the human nature He assumed for our salvation. Seated now at the right hand of the Father, Christ reigns over heaven and earth, opening the way for humanity to share in His glory.

During the forty days after the Resurrection, the disciples’ faith was strengthened. Having witnessed Christ’s suffering, death, and burial, they struggled at first with fear and doubt. Yet through His appearances to them, the Lord transformed their uncertainty into unshakable faith. By the time of the Ascension, the apostles were no longer sorrowful but filled with joy and hope.

The Ascension is not simply Christ departing from the earth; it is the exaltation of human nature itself. In Christ, humanity has been raised above the heavens and brought close to the throne of God. As St Leo the Great teaches, where the Head has gone, the Body is called to follow. Christ ascends not for Himself alone but for the whole Church.

Through baptism, we are united to Christ and become members of His Body. His triumph becomes our triumph, His inheritance our inheritance. The Ascension reminds us that our true home is with God and that, even now, we are called to live with our hearts fixed on heaven.

Christ Himself assures us: “I go to prepare a place for you.” Our task, then, is to remain united to Him through faith, prayer, the sacraments, and life within His Church. The more deeply we remain in Christ, the more confidently we can hope to share one day in the glory of His Ascension.

14May

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 28:16-20
‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’

At that time: The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

13May

From May 17 to 24, 2026, the global Church will come together once again to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week: a time of prayer, reflec...

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

From May 17 to 24, 2026, the global Church will come together once again to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week: a time of prayer, reflection, and concrete action for our Common Home.

We’ll be sharing very soon how you can participate and join this global movement that turns hope into action for the planet and for future generations.

💚 Get ready to be part of this global moment.

#LaudatoSiWeek

13May

Between 13 May and 13 October 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children near Fatima in Portuga...

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

Between 13 May and 13 October 1917, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared six times to three shepherd children near Fatima in Portugal: Francisco and Jacinta Marto, and their cousin Lucia dos Santos. The apparitions took place at the Cova da Iria, near the town of Fatima, around 110 miles north of Lisbon.

During these apparitions, Our Lady called for prayer, penance, and conversion. She asked especially for the daily praying of the Rosary for peace in the world, for the end of the First World War, for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. Her message was one of hope, repentance, and trust in God.

Mary entrusted the children with three secrets. After the deaths of Francisco and Jacinta in 1919 and 1920, Lucia later revealed the first two secrets. The first concerned devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, while the second included a vision of hell and a call to prayer and sacrifice for the salvation of souls. Lucia eventually entered the Carmelite order and lived a long life of prayer until her death in 2005 at the age of 97.

In the year 2000, at the direction of Pope Saint John Paul II, the Vatican revealed the third secret. It described a vision of a “bishop dressed in white” who suffers persecution and is shot by soldiers. Many associated this with the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in St Peter’s Square on 13 May 1981, a date the Pope himself closely linked to the protection and intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.

Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima spread rapidly throughout the world. The apparitions were officially approved by the local bishop in 1930, and in 2002 the memorial of Our Lady of Fatima was added to the General Roman Calendar of the Church.

12May

Walk and Pray for Peace | SCIAF

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

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲? 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗙’𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲

It's fair to say we live in turbulent times. With wars and conflicts all around us, it’s easy to lose hope.

But SCIAF – the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund – believes that a better world is possible and is urging others to join them on a pilgrimage of peace.

Michael Hamilton from SCIAF’s community engagement team said: “We are urging people to join in solidarity with us and the many innocent victims of war around the world and walk and pray for a peaceful future.”

The walk for peace will take place from 9.15am on Saturday, 13 June and will follow a 5.6-mile route from St Joseph’s Church in Blantyre to Motherwell Cathedral.

Michael said: “Many people feel hopeless right now. Every time we turn on the television, there is news of yet more bombing, yet more death. Wars are decided by politicians, but in the end it’s innocent people who suffer. We do, however, believe in the power of prayer, and it is right that we lift those who suffer injustice to God with the hope of a better world.

“We hope as many people as possible will be able to join us. Although it’s over five miles, we will be going at a gentle pace and hoping to reach the Cathedral in about two and a half hours. We will be warmly welcomed at the Cathedral with drinks and food to look forward to.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Join us on a short pilgrimage walk from St Joseph’s Blantyre to Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell.

12May

This Sunday, 17th May, the Church marks Communications Sunday

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

This Sunday, 17th May, the Church marks Communications Sunday.

In a world where so many people first encounter faith online, digital communication has become an important part of evangelisation and outreach. A video, livestream, social media post, or message of hope can often become the first step in someone’s journey towards Christ.

The second collection this weekend will support the work of the Office of Communications & Evangelisation of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland as we continue to share the Gospel through digital media, social platforms, video, news, and resources reaching people across Scotland and beyond.

Please keep this work in your prayers and, if you are able, support the second collection next weekend.

12May

National Director's Reflection—May 2026

12 May, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In his monthly reflection, Missio Scotland's National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, speaks of the importance of missionaries and their role in feeding people spiritually and physically across five continents

#NDsMonthlyReflection

@followers

In his monthly reflection, Missio Scotland's National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, speaks of the importance of missionaries and their role in feeding peopl...

12May

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗦𝗣𝘀

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

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀’ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗦𝗣𝘀

On behalf of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, I warmly congratulate all Members of the Scottish Parliament elected to serve our nation. Your role is a noble calling, entrusted with the responsibility to act with integrity, to value every human life, and to prioritise the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society. I pray that your service will be rooted in humility and guided by a sincere desire to promote truth, justice, and charity for the common good of all. I hope that you will defend fundamental freedoms, foster respectful dialogue, and work for a Scotland where every person's dignity is respected. Be assured of my prayers as you begin this important work for the people of Scotland.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

11May

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is looking for a creative and skilled Video Editor to support its growing digital communications work.

This is a part-time role (24 hours per week), offering hybrid/remote working, with occasional travel for events and broadcasts.

You’ll play a key role in producing engaging video content that communicates the life and mission of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

🎬 What we’re looking for:
• Strong video editing skills with a clear sense of storytelling
• Experience creating content for social and digital platforms
• Confidence using editing software
• Good understanding of audience engagement

📅 Deadline: Friday 29 May 2026
📧 Apply with a CV, cover letter and portfolio to: [email protected]

👉 Find out more and apply: https://www.bcos.org.uk/vacancies

Please share with anyone who may be interested.