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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News from the Commissions and Agencies

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May 2025

11May

I warmly welcome the First Minister's commitment to protecting the vulnerable from the existential threat of assisted suicide an...

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

I warmly welcome the First Minister's commitment to protecting the vulnerable from the existential threat of assisted suicide and upholding the dignity of life by deciding to vote against Liam McArthur's Bill and I hope that fellow parliamentarians will follow his lead.
+Brian

11May

As Holyrood votes on assisted suicide this week…….what kind of country will Scotland become?

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

As Holyrood votes on assisted suicide this week…….what kind of country will Scotland become?
Palliative care is very limited in hospitals where the majority of people die. Painful experiences of watching a loved one die are not uncommon in hospitals that do not have the expertise nor resources to provide a level of care for those who are dying. Hospices provide an incredible service to those who are dying and their families but hospices are not supported adequately by government funding and they are limited in number.
The legalising of assisted suicide does not address this problem. Instead by legalising and assisting a person to takes his or her life sanctions the deliberate killing of another person who needs my care . It changes the character of the one who assists to an acceptable executioner. Society no longer cares for but discards the patient. In a country already struggling to provide elderly care, assisted suicide offers an easy solution to the crisis. You cannot restrict killing if it is permissible. Pressure will grow for others to make that brave decision to no longer be a burden to society including those whose medical care is too costly, the disabled and chronically ill. The fundamental nature of society will change as can be seen in countries like Canada where it is easier to get assisted suicide than to get a wheelchair or the Netherlands where euthanasia is available for children and infants. What kind of country will Scotland become?

11May

Pope at Mass: Listen without judging - Vatican News

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

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-celebrates-mass-at-the-tomb-of-saint-peter.html

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass at the tomb of Saint Peter and prays by the niche of the Pallia.

11May

Pope Leo XIV's coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots and the values he seeks to promote during his pon...

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

Pope Leo XIV's coat of arms offers a clear reflection of his Augustinian roots and the values he seeks to promote during his pontificate, particularly unity and communion within the Church.

The shield is divided diagonally into two sections. The upper half features a blue background with a white lily.

The lower half of the shield has a light background and displays an image that recalls the Order of Saint Augustine: a closed book with a heart pierced by an arrow. This is a direct reference to the conversion experience of Saint Augustine himself, who described his personal encounter with God’s Word using the phrase: “Vulnerasti cor meum verbo tuo” - “You have pierced my heart with your Word.”

Pope Leo XIV has also chosen a motto that reflects this Augustinian tradition: In Illo uno unum, which means “In the One, we are one.” The phrase is taken from Saint Augustine’s Exposition on Psalm 127, where he explains that “although we Christians are many, in the one Christ we are one.”

More: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-s-motto-and-coat-of-arms.html

10May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

10May

Here is the official record confirming that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost accepted the election canonically making him Supreme...

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

Here is the official record confirming that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost accepted the election canonically making him Supreme Pontiff and the name he has chosen.

The document was drawn up by the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations, Monsignor Diego Giovanni Ravelli, acting as notary. Written in Latin, the name Leo XIV appears in red.

10May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

09May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

09May

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery ...

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

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, as Pope Leo XIV. It asks all Catholics in Scotland to pray for the new Pope as he begins his ministry. During his short address to the faithful from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo highlighted that his pontificate would be a service of peace. His opening words were the greeting of the risen Christ to his disciples, “Peace be with you”; a greeting given by our Lord to those who were afraid and doubting. Pope Leo prayed that peace would enter the hearts of all men and women, of all families and nations and that evil would be overcome.
Echoing the words of Pope Francis and thanking our late Holy Father, the new Pope asked for dialogue and building bridges, for walking together on a synodal path as missionaries in our world. Pope Leo reminded the crowds that he is a son of St Augustine, the great saint and doctor of the Church, who brought light and understanding to a world that was falling apart in the 4th century. We pray that our new Holy Father will bring that same spirit of peace, light and understanding to all men and women in Scotland and throughout the world, that the Church will embrace those who are afraid and doubting.
God bless our Pope

Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo”

09May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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