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

October 2026

17Oct

Pope Leo XIV's doctors announced on Saturday morning that Pope Leo XIV is fit to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital

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

Pope Leo XIV's doctors announced on Saturday morning that Pope Leo XIV is fit to be discharged from Gemelli Hospital.

In a statement from the Holy See Press Office, Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray in the morning, which confirm that his clinical condition allows for him to leave hospital.

17Oct

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

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

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Born in Syria, Saint Ignatius became a Christian and later served as Bishop of Antioch. Around AD 107, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Trajan, he refused to deny his faith in Christ. He was condemned to death and taken to Rome.

During this long journey, Ignatius wrote seven letters that remain an important witness to the faith of the early Church. Five were addressed to Christian communities in Asia Minor. In them, he encouraged believers to remain faithful to God, follow the guidance of their bishops and resist false teachings.

Another letter was written to Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who would also later give his life for the faith. His final letter was addressed to the Christians in Rome. Knowing what awaited him, Ignatius asked them not to intervene to prevent his martyrdom. He wished to offer his life to God and remain faithful to Christ to the end.

Describing himself as the wheat of God, Ignatius expressed his willingness to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts so that he might become the pure bread of Christ. He faced his death in Rome with courage, leaving the Church a lasting example of faith, love and trust in God.

17Oct

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 12:8-12
‘The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’

16Oct

Today’s update on Pope Leo.

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

Today’s update on Pope Leo.

On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV's doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm "the steady improvement in his overall condition.”

The Pope continues with respiratory physiotherapy, and he is carrying out his "normal daily activities entirely independently" as he recovers from surgery on Tuesday.

16Oct

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 12:1-7
‘Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.’

At that time: When so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.’

15Oct

Pope Leo XIV had a good second night in Gemelli Hospital after his lung surgery on Tuesday

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

Pope Leo XIV had a good second night in Gemelli Hospital after his lung surgery on Tuesday.

The Holy See Press Office said on Thursday morning that the Pope got up and had breakfast.

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.