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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May 2025

18May

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

18 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

St Peter’s Square getting ready for the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo 🙏

17May

How Father Bob Became Pope Leo

17 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/17/world/europe/robert-prevost-pope-leo-xiv.html

A résumé of deep religious education, frontline pastoral experience, parish management and Vatican governance — along with a nudge from Pope Francis — put Robert Prevost on the fast track.

17May

The rite for the Inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of Leo XIV - Vatican News

17 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/rite-inauguration-petrine-ministry-leo-xiv-symbolism-rites.html

The celebration marking the official beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate on May 18 is a solemn liturgy. The rite highlights the bond with the ...

16May

The Hebrides are especially beautiful during this warm and sunny spell

16 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Hebrides are especially beautiful during this warm and sunny spell. However, the natural tranquility has been routinely disturbed by military exercises: the sounds and flashes caused by the firing from both land missiles and warships. The weapons aim away from the islands into the sea but many parishioners have told me that they find the experience frightening, particularly when they think of the harm being inflicted upon people where powerful weapons are being fired today such as in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan. Pope Francis insisted that war is always a defeat while since his first address Pope Leo has asked us to embrace peace. The Popes didn’t invent these teachings; they are rooted in the Gospel. The statue of Our Lady of the Isles invites us to walk the alternative path of the Prince of Peace. I recognise that life is complex but as Christians our choices must be discerned in the light of the Gospel.
+Brian

16May

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

16 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Catholic Headteachers Association of Scotland conference concludes today in Lanarkshire.

Bishop Joseph Toal (Motherwell Diocese), Bishop Frank Dougan (RC Diocese of Galloway) and Archbishop Leo Cushley (Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh) took part this morning in prayer and conversation.

The Conference theme is 'Catholic Schools: Pilgrims of Hope' and it's a chance for headteachers to think about their leadership and how they can give hope to all those who they work with.

14May

Saint Matthias | Franciscan Media

14 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

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

Acts of the Apostles records that Saint Matthias was selected by the early Church to replace Judas Iscariot in the ranks of the apostles. We know little more about him except that he was a witness to Jesus from his baptism to his ascension.

13May

Statement of Bishop Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference, following the first stage vote at Holyrood on Assisted Suicide...

13 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Statement of Bishop Keenan, President of the Bishops' Conference, following the first stage vote at Holyrood on Assisted Suicide:
I am deeply disappointed that our Parliament has taken the first step to permit the state to provide vulnerable people with the means to end their lives prematurely.
Many MSPs, however, expressed significant reservations about the terms of Liam McArthur's Bill.
I hope and pray that MSPs will take time to reflect very carefully on these concerns and reject the Bill before it is passed into law.

13May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

13 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

13May

The Motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament last week to celebrate the election of the Holy Father by Paul O'Kane MSP

13 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament last week to celebrate the election of the Holy Father by Paul O'Kane MSP.
That the Parliament welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as Pope on the second day of the Papal Conclave, following the death of the late Pope Francis; notes that he has chosen the name, Pope Leo XIV; further notes his extensive time as a missionary in Peru, his role as Bishop of Chiclayo, and his leadership in the Church as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America; acknowledges that he was born in Chicago, thus becoming the first Pope from the United States of America, but that he also has international connections with his parents being of Spanish and Franco-Italian descent, and him speaking multiple languages, including Spanish, Italian and French; celebrates with the Catholic community in Scotland and around the world upon the election of the new Holy Father; wishes him well in his Pontificate, and acknowledges his first words as Pope from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica regarding "building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone, like this square, open to all, to all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.”

13May

Ben Wilson, SCIAF's Director of Public Engagement, wrote this article that featured in The Herald on why Pope Francis was brave ...

13 May, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Ben Wilson, SCIAF's Director of Public Engagement, wrote this article that featured in The Herald on why Pope Francis was brave to ask uncomfortable questions.

He said:

"[Pope Francis] was truly a remarkable figure, a tremendous communicator, and a towering voice for social, political and economic justice. A Pope for our time, Francis was not only a pastor but a prophetic leader, able to look long into the future of humanity — an advocate, a campaigner, and a searing critic of the inequality and injustice that defines so much of our world today. "

Read the whole article today: https://pulse.ly/5n1k7xjx37