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

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

December 2025

27Dec

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint John | 27 December 2025

27 Dec, 2025 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint John | 27 December 2025
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

27Dec

Today we celebrate the feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist

27 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today we celebrate the feast of St John the Apostle and Evangelist.

Born in Bethsaida, John was a fisherman with his brother James when Jesus called him to follow Him. He became the beloved disciple, staying close to the Lord throughout His ministry.

St John is the author of the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. His writings on the eternal Word—who became flesh as the light and life of the world—are among the most beautiful in Scripture. He is truly the evangelist of Christ’s divinity and of Christian love.

John witnessed the Transfiguration, rested on Jesus’ heart at the Last Supper, and stood faithfully at the foot of the Cross, where Jesus entrusted His Mother to him. Later exiled to Patmos, he lived to an old age, remaining ever close to Jesus and Mary.

St John, pray for us. ✨

27Dec

Gospel of the day (John 20:2-8)

27 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (John 20:2-8)

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going towards the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on the head of Jesus, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

26Dec

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint Stephen | 26 December 2025

26 Dec, 2025 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint Stephen | 26 December 2025
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

26Dec

Today we remember St Stephen, the first martyr of the Church

26 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today we remember St Stephen, the first martyr of the Church.

Just two years after Christ’s death, Stephen was stoned in Jerusalem. The Book of Acts highlights striking parallels between his trial and the Lord’s: like Jesus, he was taken outside the city and died praying for his executioners.

Stephen was one of the first seven deacons, chosen to assist the Apostles. Scripture describes him as “filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,” a man full of grace, strength, and zeal. His fearless witness fulfilled Jesus’ promise that the Spirit would speak through His disciples, Stephen’s opponents could not withstand his wisdom.

Placed the day after Christmas, his feast reminds us that Christ’s coming leads to courageous love. St Stephen imitates his Master completely, even to the point of offering his life and praying for those who harmed him.

St Stephen, pray for us. ✨

26Dec

Gospel of the day (Matthew 10:17-22)

26 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel of the day (Matthew 10:17-22)

At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: ‘Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.’

25Dec

What does “Happy Christmas” really mean?

25 Dec, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

What does “Happy Christmas” really mean?

Bishop Frank Dougan reflects on Christmas as truly blessed because God is with us. From the fall in Genesis to the joy of the Incarnation, he reminds us of this extraordinary truth: God became man so that we might share in His divine life.

This Christmas, we are invited not to live without God, but to rejoice in the gift of salvation and give thanks, like the shepherds, for all that God has done for us.

25Dec