The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

29th April 2026

29 April 2026

Bishops' Conference of Scotland welcomes dismissal of "buffer zone" charges against Rose Docherty in Glasgow

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes Sheriff Stuart Reid’s dismissal of two criminal charges alleging “influencing” within a “buffer zone” against Rose Docherty, brought under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024.

Mrs Docherty was arrested last September near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after offering a consensual conversation and holding a sign reading: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”.

On Monday, Sheriff Reid dismissed the case against Rose, finding that the Procurator Fiscal had “failed to disclose an offence known to the law of Scotland”.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes the court’s decision to dismiss the charges brought against Rose Docherty. The ruling is an important reminder that peaceful, consensual conversation in a public place is protected, and that criminal offences must be clearly and properly made out on the evidence. This case should prompt a careful and thorough review of how "safe access zone” powers are applied so that they do not infringe fundamental rights."

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

March 2026

23Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The parish community of St Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Linlithgow, gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of Canon Paul.

A joyful occasion of thanksgiving, marking this special milestone and giving thanks for his years of faithful service.

23Mar

A blessed couple of days were spent visiting the men in the Propaedeutic Period at the Scots College Salamanca

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A blessed couple of days were spent visiting the men in the Propaedeutic Period at the Scots College Salamanca.

Providentially, Fr Rogi Thomas was lecturing during the visit. Having previously studied and served in the Diocese of Dunkeld for a decade, he now serves at the Scots College Rome.

Please keep all those discerning a vocation to the priesthood in your prayers 🕊🙏

23Mar

Eucharistic Chain Mass in Scotland 23rd March 2026

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Eucharistic Chain Mass in Scotland 23rd March 2026

23Mar

Eucharistic Chain Mass in Scotland 23rd March 2026

23 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Eucharistic Chain Mass in Scotland 23rd March 2026

23Mar

Join us this morning at 11:00am on Being Catholic TV as Bishop John Keenan celebrates Holy Mass as part of the Eucharistic Chain...

23 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Join us this morning at 11:00am on Being Catholic TV as Bishop John Keenan celebrates Holy Mass as part of the Eucharistic Chain for Peace.

Across Europe this Lent, the Church is united in prayer before the Eucharist, asking the Lord for peace in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and throughout the world. Today, we join that powerful chain of prayer together.

Watch and be part of this moment of prayer.

23Mar

Gospel

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 8:1-11
‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’

At that time: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’

22Mar

Bishop Toal's Sunday Reflection 22 March 2026

22 Mar, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Bishop Toal's Sunday Reflection 22 March 2026

22Mar

Bishop Toal's Sunday Reflection 22 March 2026

22 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Bishop Toal's Sunday Reflection 22 March 2026

22Mar

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

22 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 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.

22Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

22 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Canon Brian Gowans recently visited St Agatha's Primary, Leven, where he spoke to pupils about the life and witness of Blessed Carlo Acutis.

Having travelled to Assisi to pray at his relics, Canon Gowans brought with him a secondary relic, offering a tangible connection to this young witness of faith and helping to inspire the pupils.

His assembly was met with great enthusiasm as the children learned more about Carlo’s deep love for the Eucharist and his use of digital media to share the Gospel.