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

6th November 2026

06 November 2026

Scottish Bishops Promote ‘Show Mercy’ Theme for Prisoners’ Week 2026

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is encouraging parishes across the country to support Prisoners’ Week Scotland, taking place from 15 - 22 November, under the theme Show Mercy.

The annual initiative invites communities to reflect on the experiences of prisoners, their families, victims of crime and those working within Scotland’s prisons.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of recognising the dignity of every person, including those serving prison sentences.

Deacon Kenny McGeachie, lead Catholic chaplain for the Scottish Prison Service, said:

“This year’s Prisoners’ Week invites us to think more deeply about what it means to show mercy, particularly towards those who are already paying the price for their actions. I would encourage everyone to take part in Prisoners’ Week and reflect on how even a small act of kindness can affirm a person’s human dignity.”

One practical example is the Prisoners’ Week Dignity Fund, supported by the Society of St Vincent de Paul and other groups. The fund helps prisoners who lack financial resources or family support to obtain essential items, including suitable clothing for family funerals and basic necessities.

The Bishops’ Conference is encouraging parishes to make use of the Prisoners’ Week information packs distributed to parishes throughout Scotland, helping communities mark the week through prayer, reflection and practical support.

The public launch of Prisoners’ Week Scotland will take place on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm.

The event is open to everyone, and members of the public are warmly encouraged to attend.

Further information is available at www.prisonersweek.org.uk.

...ENDS

Notes to editor

Prisoners’ Week Scotland 2026 takes place from 15–22 November, with the theme Show Mercy. The public launch event will be held on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm. Everyone is welcome.
For further information, visit www.prisonersweek.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]

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]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

November 2026

10Nov

Join the national launch of Prisoners Week 2026

10 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Join the national launch of Prisoners Week 2026.

This year’s theme, “Show Mercy”, invites us to recognise the dignity of every person and respond with kindness, understanding and practical support.

📅 Sunday 15 November
📍 Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, G67 1QR
🕒 Marketplace opens at 3.00pm

The marketplace will showcase the work of charities and support organisations working with people affected by crime and imprisonment.

As Prisoners Week begins, please remember in prayer people in prison, their families and friends, victims of crime, prison staff, chaplains and all who care.

#PrisonersWeek #ShowMercy

10Nov

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great | 10 November 2026

10 Nov, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great | 10 November 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

10Nov

Today the Church celebrates Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, remembered as one of the most important popes of...

10 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the Church celebrates Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church, remembered as one of the most important popes of the early Church.

Elected Pope in 440, Leo worked tirelessly to strengthen the Church and defend the Christian faith during a period of theological controversy and political instability.

One of his greatest contributions came during debates about the identity of Christ. In his famous *Tome of Leo*, he clearly expressed the Church’s teaching that Jesus Christ is one divine Person with two natures, fully human and fully divine. His teaching greatly influenced the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

Leo also became known as a peacemaker. In 452, he famously met Attila the Hun during his invasion of Italy and helped negotiate his withdrawal.

Alongside these public responsibilities, Leo was a devoted pastor and gifted preacher. Many of his sermons survive today, revealing his deep understanding of Scripture and his desire to help ordinary Christians live out their faith.

Saint Leo died in 461. He was later declared a Doctor of the Church and is one of only a small number of popes traditionally given the title “the Great.”

His life reminds us that strong leadership in the Church must always be rooted in faith, prayer and service to Christ.

🙏 Saint Leo the Great, pray for us.

10Nov

Gospel

10 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 17:7-10
‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’

At that time: the Lord said, ‘Will any one of you who has a servant ploughing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, “Come at once and recline at table”? Will he not rather say to him, “Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterwards you will eat and drink”? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” ’

09Nov

Three days to go until the COP31 Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow

09 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Three days to go until the COP31 Mass at St Andrew’s Cathedral, Glasgow.

As world leaders gather in Türkiye for COP31, we will come together in prayer for those taking part in the summit and for renewed commitment to the care of our common home.

Archbishop William Nolan will celebrate Mass at 1.00pm this Thursday, 12 November, with refreshments afterwards and a live video update from CAFOD at COP31.

All are welcome to attend.

09Nov

PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR SCOTTISH CATHEDRALS THIS RED WEDNESDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2026

09 Nov, 2026 | ACN Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR SCOTTISH CATHEDRALS THIS RED WEDNESDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2026.

09Nov

Holy Mass of the Feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica | 09 November 2026

09 Nov, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of the Dedication of Lateran Basilica | 09 November 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

09Nov

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the cathedral church of the Pope as Bis...

09 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, the cathedral church of the Pope as Bishop of Rome.

Although Saint Peter’s Basilica is perhaps more familiar, it is the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran which is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. For this reason, it holds a unique place in the Catholic Church and bears the title “Mother and Head of all the churches of the City and the World.”

The first basilica on the site was dedicated in the fourth century, following the end of the Roman persecution of Christians under the Emperor Constantine. For centuries, the Lateran was closely associated with the life of the popes, and several important councils of the Church were held there.

The basilica has endured fires, earthquakes, conflict and periods of neglect. The building we see today is largely the result of extensive rebuilding and restoration undertaken over the centuries, including major work commissioned by Pope Innocent X in the 17th century.

Its imposing façade is crowned by statues of Christ, Saint John the Baptist, Saint John the Evangelist and Doctors of the Church. The basilica is dedicated to Christ the Saviour and also honours Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.

Today’s feast, however, is about more than a building in Rome. The dedication of a church reminds us of the living Church – the People of God, united in Christ.

Celebrated throughout the world, this feast is also a sign of the unity of the universal Church with the Bishop of Rome.

🙏 May we, as living stones of the Church, continue to build our lives upon Christ, our sure foundation.

09Nov

Gospel

09 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 2:13-22
‘He was speaking about the temple of his body.’

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the Temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.’ His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’
So the Jews said to him, ‘What sign do you show us for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this Temple, and will you raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

08Nov

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘁

08 Nov, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘁
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗱𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵

The journey into a synodal way of being Church together, begun by Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo is one where we will require a new passion for equipping, and using the gifts of, leaders. Responding to this call and to what people have asked for, the Bishops’ Conference are excited to offer Called and Sent, formation for Christian leaders.

This course will equip people with skills and tools that, while necessary in the Church today, will be even more so in the Church going into the future, where clergy, lay and religious are called to be co-responsible for the ‘the being and action of the Church’. (Pope Benedict). The course will be conducted in a spirit of prayerfulness and entail one full day’s formation and four follow up online formation sessions.

We are looking for people who are prayerful, faith-filled and already involved in the life of the Church in their parish, diocese or organisation. Please consider if you might be the right person for this course.

For more information, and to apply for Called and Sent, go to; https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk/called-and-sent