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

30th July 2026

30 July 2026

Bishop Welcomes Prime Minister’s Call to Prioritise Care Reforms Before Westminster Assisted Suicide Vote

Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop with responsibility for Marriage, Family and Life for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for the serious gaps in palliative and social care to be addressed before the Westminster Parliament considers assisted suicide legislation.

Bishop Keenan said:

“The Prime Minister’s intervention is both timely and welcome. We have a duty to ensure that every person approaching the end of life has access to the compassionate palliative and social care they deserve. No one should ever feel driven towards assisted suicide because they lack the care, support or dignity they need.

“We were grateful that the Scottish Parliament resolutely rejected assisted suicide only recently. We hope this latest intervention will encourage Members of the Westminster Parliament to reflect carefully before taking a step that would fundamentally change the way our society cares for the sick and vulnerable.

“As our Catholic Parliamentary Officer, Anthony Horan, has rightly said: ‘The last thing the country needs is another divisive debate about assisted suicide. We need to make progress in improving palliative and social care, not offering vulnerable people state support to end their lives.’ I share that conviction wholeheartedly.

“This is an opportunity to rethink the whole approach to assisted suicide. The compassionate response to suffering is never to help people end their lives, but to ensure they receive the high-quality care, love and accompaniment they need. Let us pray for all who are seriously ill, for their families and carers, and for those in public office, that they may always uphold the dignity of every human life and work to build a society that truly cares for its most vulnerable members.”

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

June 2026

28Jun

Saint Peter was originally called Simon, a fisherman from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee

28 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Saint Peter was originally called Simon, a fisherman from Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “Rock”, and chose him to lead the Apostles. Peter was among Christ’s closest followers, witnessing key moments such as the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden. Though he famously denied Jesus during the Passion, he repented and became a humble and courageous leader of the early Church. After Pentecost, he preached boldly, welcomed the first Gentile converts, and eventually travelled to Rome, where he became its first bishop. He was martyred there around 67 AD and is remembered as the first Pope.

Saint Paul, originally known as Saul, was born in Tarsus and raised as a devout Pharisee. A fierce persecutor of Christians, his life changed dramatically when he encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Following his conversion, Paul dedicated himself completely to spreading the Gospel. Through three major missionary journeys, he founded Christian communities across Asia Minor and Europe, bringing the message of Christ to countless people. He wrote many letters to the early churches, which form a significant part of the New Testament. After years of preaching and missionary work, Paul was imprisoned in Rome and was martyred around 67 AD.

Together, Saints Peter and Paul are honoured as the two great pillars of the Church: Peter, the leader of the Apostles, and Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Their witness, faith, and sacrifice helped establish and spread Christianity throughout the world.

28Jun

Holy Mass of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul | 28 June 2026

28 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul | 28 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

28Jun

Gospel

28 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 16:13-19
‘You are Peter, and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.’

At that time: When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’

27Jun

All are welcome to come together in prayer at Holy Mass for the people of Venezuela on Sunday 5 July at 12 noon in St Leonard's ...

27 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

All are welcome to come together in prayer at Holy Mass for the people of Venezuela on Sunday 5 July at 12 noon in St Leonard's Church, East Kilbride.

The Mass will be celebrated in Castellano (America Latina) and offers an opportunity to gather in prayer and solidarity with all those affected by the recent earthquake.

Please keep the people of Venezuela and all those impacted by this tragedy in your prayers.

27Jun

Today, Bishop Frank Dougan celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the Sacred Priesthood

27 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today, Bishop Frank Dougan celebrates the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the Sacred Priesthood.

A son of the Motherwell Diocese , Bishop Frank was ordained a priest on 27 June 2001 and has faithfully served the Church for the past twenty-five years. Since 2024, he has served as Bishop of RC Diocese of Galloway.

We give thanks to God for his ministry and ask the Lord to continue to bless him as he serves the people of the Diocese of Galloway.

Please keep Bishop Frank in your prayers.

Ad multos annos.

27Jun

Photos from RC Diocese of Galloway's post

27 Jun, 2026 | RC Diocese of Galloway | BCoS Facebook |

Today, Bishop Frank, Bishop of Galloway, celebrates 25 years since his ordination to the Sacred Priesthood. To mark the occasion, last night he was joined by his brother priests and faithful from across the Diocese for Mass in St Margaret's Cathedral, Ayr, with Fr Stephen Reilly from the Diocese of Motherwell, a long time friend of Bishop Frank, preaching the homily.

At the end of Mass, Bishop Frank was presented with a quaich by the Revd David R Gemmell, the local Church of Scotland minister, marking their strong friendship and shared ministry.

A short biography of Bishop Frank:

Bishop Frank was born on 8th December 1972 and baptised in St Aidan’s, Wishaw. After attending St Aidan’s Primary, St Mary’s College, Blairs and St Aidan’s High School, Wishaw, he studied at the Scots College in Rome and at Glasgow University. He is a graduate in Law (LLB) and holds a Licentiate in Canon Law. He received priestly ordination on 27th June 2001 and was incardinated in the Diocese of Motherwell.

Bishop Frank served as assistant priest at Our Lady and St Anne’s, Hamilton and as parish priest St Mark’s, Rutherglen, St Anthony’s, Rutherglen, St Anthony’s and St Mark’s and Our Lady of Lourdes. He was Vice-rector of the Scots College, Rome from 2006 to 2012, assistant Judicial Vicar, Scottish Inter-diocesan Tribunal and Judicial vicar for the Diocese of Motherwell from 2017.

On 22nd December 2023, Pope Francis nominated Bishop Frank Dougan as the new Bishop of Galloway. He was ordained Bishop on Saturday 9th March 2024 at St-Peter-in-Chains, Ardrossan, and was received into his Cathedral Church of St Margaret in Ayr the following day. His episcopal motto is: “Quench not the wavering flame”.

27Jun

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 27 June 2026

27 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 27 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

27Jun

Gospel

27 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
Matthew 8:5-17
‘Many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.’

At that time: When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, ‘Lord, my servant is lying paralysed at home, suffering terribly.’ And he said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ But the centurion replied, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my servant, “Do this”, and he does it.’ When Jesus heard this, he marvelled and said to those who followed him, ‘Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ And to the centurion Jesus said, ‘Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.’ And the servant was healed at that very moment.
And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.’

26Jun

This weekend, the Second Collection will be taken up for Peter’s Pence

26 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

This weekend, the Second Collection will be taken up for Peter’s Pence.

Peter’s Pence is the annual collection that supports the Holy Father in his mission to proclaim the Gospel, promote peace and charity, and assist those in need throughout the world.

Thank you for your generosity and support of Pope Leo's ministry and the work of the Church.

26Jun

This weekend, the Second Collection will be taken up for Peter’s Pence

26 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |