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

6th November 2026

06 November 2026

Scottish Bishops Promote ‘Show Mercy’ Theme for Prisoners’ Week 2026

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is encouraging parishes across the country to support Prisoners’ Week Scotland, taking place from 15 - 22 November, under the theme Show Mercy.

The annual initiative invites communities to reflect on the experiences of prisoners, their families, victims of crime and those working within Scotland’s prisons.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of recognising the dignity of every person, including those serving prison sentences.

Deacon Kenny McGeachie, lead Catholic chaplain for the Scottish Prison Service, said:

“This year’s Prisoners’ Week invites us to think more deeply about what it means to show mercy, particularly towards those who are already paying the price for their actions. I would encourage everyone to take part in Prisoners’ Week and reflect on how even a small act of kindness can affirm a person’s human dignity.”

One practical example is the Prisoners’ Week Dignity Fund, supported by the Society of St Vincent de Paul and other groups. The fund helps prisoners who lack financial resources or family support to obtain essential items, including suitable clothing for family funerals and basic necessities.

The Bishops’ Conference is encouraging parishes to make use of the Prisoners’ Week information packs distributed to parishes throughout Scotland, helping communities mark the week through prayer, reflection and practical support.

The public launch of Prisoners’ Week Scotland will take place on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm.

The event is open to everyone, and members of the public are warmly encouraged to attend.

Further information is available at www.prisonersweek.org.uk.

...ENDS

Notes to editor

Prisoners’ Week Scotland 2026 takes place from 15–22 November, with the theme Show Mercy. The public launch event will be held on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm. Everyone is welcome.
For further information, visit www.prisonersweek.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]

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]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by category: BCoS FacebookReturn

March 2026

30Mar

Gospel

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

Gospel
John 12:1-11
‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.’

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the money bag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.’
When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

29Mar

Thank you to the Bishops' Conference of Scotland for backing SCIAF's call to restore life-saving aid NOW!

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

Thank you to the Bishops' Conference of Scotland for backing SCIAF's call to restore life-saving aid NOW!

UK aid cuts are projected to hurt 55 million people globally, depriving them of access to basic services, including access to clear and safe water. It is a short-sighted decision that must be reversed.

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.