The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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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July 2025

03Jul

Please remember in your prayers all those being ordained to the priesthood at this time and also all priests celebrating their a...

03 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Please remember in your prayers all those being ordained to the priesthood at this time and also all priests celebrating their anniversaries 🙏🙏🙏

03Jul

Gospel of the Day (John 17,1-11a)

03 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the Day (John 17,1-11a)

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that your son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that he may give eternal life to all you gave him. Now this is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on earth by accomplishing the work that you gave me to do.

Now glorify me, Father, with you, with the glory that I had with you before the world began. I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me.

I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours, and everything of mine is yours and everything of yours is mine, and I have been glorified in them. And now I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, while I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one just as we are."

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day/2025/07/03.html

02Jul

Saint Oliver Plunkett | Franciscan Media

02 Jul, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Saint Oliver Plunkett may not be a household name in the United States but he certainly is well known in the British Isles. The Archbishop of Armagh, Plunkett led his archdiocese through the rough days of persecution of Catholics.

June 2025

30Jun

Crucifix set alight and headstones demolished in 'senseless' cemetery attack

30 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Diocese of Paisley reported that after entering the cemetery grounds those responsible attacked around 40 headstones.

30Jun

The Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan has condemned a series of vicious acts of vandalism carried out in the last 24 hours a...

30 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Bishop of Paisley, Bishop John Keenan has condemned a series of vicious acts of vandalism carried out in the last 24 hours at the diocesan cemetery, St. Conval’s on Glasgow Road, Barrhead.

Vandals are believed to have entered the grounds of the cemetery in the early hours of 29 June and attacked around 40 headstones, some of which have been demolished. They also attacked a large wooden crucifix some 5 meters in height which was set on fire.

Bishops Keenan said:

“I am saddened and dismayed by this senseless vandalism and the destructive violence behind it. My thoughts and prayers are with the families who have had headstones attacked, as well as with the whole community of relatives and friends who visit St. Conval’s and care for the graves of their loved ones so tenderly.”

Bishop Keenan added:

“My gratitude goes to the St. Conval’s staff who maintain the grounds and administer the cemetery and who now face the distressing task of repairing and making safe damaged graves while comforting distraught families.”

A spokesperson for the Diocese of Paisley said:

“Anyone with any information relating to these attacks is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 1089 of 29 June. Anyone wishing to contact the cemetery staff can do so on: 0141 881 1058
Or stconvalscemeteryrcdop.org.uk.”

30Jun

No to Nuclear Weapons: Christian Peace Vigil at Faslane - Saturday 2nd August, 10.30am–12 noon | HM Naval Base Clyde, South Gate...

30 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

No to Nuclear Weapons: Christian Peace Vigil at Faslane - Saturday 2nd August, 10.30am–12 noon | HM Naval Base Clyde, South Gate (Maidstone Road)
No to Nuclear Weapons Faslane Christian Witness Aug 2025

In the week marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Christians from across Scotland will gather at Faslane Naval Base for an ecumenical peace vigil to witness against the continued presence and threat of nuclear weapons.

Organised by Justice & Peace Scotland, this gathering will be a time of prayer, reflection, readings, and song led by senior Church leaders:
• Most Rev. William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow and President of Justice & Peace Scotland
• Rt Rev. Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
• Most Rev. Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church

Members of the Iona Community will also join us as together we call for nuclear disarmament and peace. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers and to uphold the dignity of every human life. Nuclear weapons are fundamentally incompatible with this call as their existence threatens indiscriminate destruction and a future built on fear and power-wielding rather than on fraternity amongst nations.

The vigil is an opportunity for Christians to stand in faith and solidarity on the site where the UK’s weapons of mass destruction are housed and to renew our shared commitment to the common good and the flourishing of creation.

Free Transport Available
A free Lothian Buses coach will depart from:
• Edinburgh - Waterloo Place (beside Waverley Station), leaving at 7.45am
• Glasgow - Gordon Street (outside Central Station), leaving at 9.15am
To secure a seat, please email: [email protected]

All are welcome. Help us spread the word by sharing with your family, friends and networks.

30Jun

Tenth anniversary of Holy See's recognition of State of Palestine - Vatican News

30 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Ten years after the Holy See formally recognized the State of Palestine, Palestine's new Foreign Minister, Varsen Aghabekian, says the 2015 agreement ...

30Jun

With your support, SCIAF offers long-term solutions and tangible hope for people that need it the most

30 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

With your support, SCIAF offers long-term solutions and tangible hope for people that need it the most.

Support our Dignity for All Appeal to help people with disabilities around the world today: https://pulse.ly/jw9fgy8xiy

30Jun

First Martyrs of the Church of Rome | Franciscan Media

30 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/first-martyrs-of-the-church-of-rome/

Around the year 64, the city of Rome experienced a devastating fire. Emperor Nero blamed it on the Christians, and a severe persecution followed. Included in the mass murder of Christians were the First Martyrs of Rome. We don’t know their names, but their witness to the faith is certain.

29Jun

Don’t press the button: A peaceful protest against Gaza bombings - Vatican News

29 Jun, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

An Israeli pacifist network launches a silent and powerful initiative aimed at raising awareness among Israeli Air Force pilots about the human cost ...