• ayr1
  • edinburgh1
  • Slider1
  • paisley1
  • edinburgh2
  • oban1
  • glasgow1
  • ayr2
  • fortrose1
  • Slider1

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

National Family Conference 2026

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]

20th October 2026


20 October 2026

Scottish Theologian Appointed to Vatican’s International Theological Commission

Dr Sara Parvis of the University of Edinburgh has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the International Theological Commission for its new five-year term (2026–2031).

The Commission brings together theologians from around the world to advise the Holy See on important questions of Catholic theology and doctrine.

Born in Aberdeen and raised in Edinburgh, Dr Parvis is an Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, specialising in early Christianity, Church history and patristic theology.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Sara on her appointment by Pope Leo to this important Commission.

“This appointment is a recognition of her distinguished theological scholarship and of the contribution Scottish scholars continue to make to the life of the universal Church.

“We wish Sara every blessing as she takes up this important responsibility and assure her of our prayers.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Parvis said:

“It’s a great honour to be appointed to the International Theological Commission, and I’m very pleased to be bringing a Scottish perspective to the conversations the group will be having over the next few years.”

...ENDS

Notes to Editor

  • Photo of Dr Sara Parvis: Photo of Dr Sara Parvis
  • 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

September 2026
Gospel John 1:47-51
‘You will see the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’

At that time: Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree”, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’

Read More
Medjugorje Mass | 28 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Read More
Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Lourdes by joining pilgrims for the traditional Torchlight Marian Procession.

As thousands gathered with candles raised across the Sanctuary, the evening became a powerful moment of prayer, devotion and unity around Our Lady.

A beautiful way to bring the Holy Father’s time in Lourdes to a close.

Here are some of the highlights from the procession.
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
Read More
Holy Mass of Monday the Twenty Sixth Week of Ordinary Time | 28 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

Read More
Gospel Luke 9:46-50
‘He who is least among you all is the one who is great.’

At that time: An argument arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among all of you is the one who is great.’
John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’

Read More
For more than four decades, this pilgrim has been returning to Lourdes — and this week he travelled from Belfast to be here for the visit of Pope Leo XIV.

He shared what has kept drawing him back to the Sanctuary over the years, why Lourdes continues to mean so much to him, and what it has been like to experience the Holy Father’s visit.

A remarkable witness to a lifetime of pilgrimage, prayer and devotion.

Read More
Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the Prairie in Lourdes today as Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass during his Apostolic Visit to France.

It was a powerful moment of prayer at the heart of the Sanctuary, bringing together pilgrims from across the world — including the sick, volunteers, families and groups who had travelled to Lourdes for the Holy Father’s visit.

Here are some of the highlights from this morning’s celebration of Mass.

Read More
Among the pilgrims who have travelled to Lourdes for the visit of Pope Leo XIV is this family from Ireland.

They shared why they made the journey together, what Lourdes means to them, and what it is like to be here as a family for such a special moment in the life of the Church.

A lovely reminder that pilgrimage is often something experienced not just individually, but together.

Read More
From Scotland to Lourdes. 🏴🇻🇦

We spoke to one Scottish pilgrim who shared why she made the journey to Lourdes and why this special place means so much to her.

For her, Lourdes is a place of prayer, peace and deep personal significance — and being here for the visit of Pope Leo XIV makes this pilgrimage even more memorable.

A beautiful reflection from one of the many pilgrims gathered here from across the world.

#Lourdes #PopeLeoXIV #CatholicScotland #PopeInLourdes

Read More
Page 10 of 328 [10]