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

7th October 2026

7 October 2026

Catholic Parliamentary Office Welcomes SNP Decision to Withdraw Abortion Motion

The Catholic Parliamentary Office welcomes the decision of the Scottish National Party to remove from its conference agenda a proposed motion that would have sought to decriminalise self-administered abortion and significantly weaken legal protections for unborn children.

Last month, in response to reports of the motion, the Catholic Parliamentary Office expressed its concern that SNP members could be asked to support proposals that would have allowed self-administered abortion up to birth for any reason, including sex-selective abortion. At that time, CPO Director Anthony Horan noted that any measure which could permit abortion up to the point of birth and facilitate sex-selective abortion raised "profound moral and ethical concerns".

Commenting on the decision to withdraw the motion, Anthony Horan said:

"I welcome the decision of the SNP to remove this motion from its conference agenda. The proposals it contained would have represented a radical and unnecessary weakening of protections for unborn children and their mothers.

"Every human life possesses inherent dignity and worth from conception until natural death. A compassionate society is one that protects both mother and child.

"I am grateful to all those who highlighted the serious ethical concerns raised by these proposals and who encouraged reflection on the wider consequences of removing long-standing legal safeguards.

"Scotland faces many pressing challenges. Families are struggling with the cost of living, communities require better housing and healthcare provision, and we need greater investment in support for parents, children and high-quality palliative care. These are the issues that deserve the attention of our political leaders.

"I hope that this decision provides an opportunity for a more constructive conversation about how Scotland can support women facing difficult pregnancies while continuing to uphold respect for the dignity and value of every human life."

...ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of Anthony Horan, Director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office: Photo of Anthony Horan
The Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office works on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, by engaging with politicians and policymakers on matters central to the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
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

October 2026

04Oct

Holy Mass of the Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time | 04 October 2026

04 Oct, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time | 04 October 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

04Oct

Gospel

04 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 21:33-43
This is the landlord's heir: come, let us kill him

Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people, ‘Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard; he fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower; then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. “They will respect my son” he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, “This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance.” So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?’ They answered, ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
It was the stone rejected by the builders
that became the keystone.
This was the Lord’s doing
and it is wonderful to see?
‘I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.’

03Oct

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

03 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland is deeply concerned by renewed calls to decriminalise abortion in Scotland and to remove existing legal safeguards governing the ending of unborn human life. These proposals would permit abortion up to birth for any reason, including sex-selective abortion.

Every human life possesses inherent dignity and worth; a dignity that does not depend upon age, size, ability, dependency or stage of development. It begins at conception and continues until natural death. A just and compassionate society should recognise and protect the lives of both mother and child, especially when either is vulnerable.

We are deeply disturbed that the Scottish Greens believe abortion should be treated "like any other healthcare procedure". This claim simply does not match the brutal reality of abortion, which is the deliberate ending of an innocent, defenceless human life.

This act can never be regarded as simply another healthcare intervention, nor can it ever be described as "safe". Medicine exists to heal, protect and care for human life. While we recognise that women can face profoundly difficult and distressing circumstances during pregnancy, society's response should be to offer practical support, compassionate care and genuine alternatives rather than measures that further weaken protection for the unborn.

The public debate on abortion often focuses exclusively on autonomy and choice. While personal freedom is important, rights must always be considered alongside responsibilities and the rights of others, including those who are unable to speak for themselves.

We urge the Scottish Government, and all MSPs, to reflect carefully on the ethical, medical and social implications of these proposals. We also call for greater investment in maternity services, perinatal mental health support, family assistance programmes, pregnancy counselling, and practical support for women facing challenging pregnancies.

Scotland should aspire to be a society where no woman feels abandoned during pregnancy and where every human life is welcomed, valued and protected. Rather than removing legal protections for unborn children, we should work together to build a culture of solidarity, care and compassion for both mother and child. There is a better way than abortion.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Marriage, Family and Life Commission
Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

03Oct

Holy Mass of the Sick | 03 October 2026

03 Oct, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Sick | 03 October 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

03Oct

Gospel

03 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 10:17-24
‘Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’

At that time: The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!’ And Jesus said to them, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, ‘I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’
Then turning to the disciples he said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.’

02Oct

Belonging to God and to the people in Ukraine

02 Oct, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This year, Missio Scotland is supporting projects in Ukraine and Albania.

To learn more about this important life-saving and life-giving work, in the lead up to #WorldMissionSunday, we will be sharing with you the stories behind those projects—the people that are being assisted as a result and those charged with carrying them out.

This week, we'd like to share with you the story of how priests like Fr Luca Bovio, National Director in Missio in Ukraine and the Church as a whole, are serving the people in a country devastated by conflict and the part that Missio Scotland in playing in assisting this crucial work.

Thank you and God bless you all!

@followers

“AS I’m talking to you, for the last three nights we have been under heavy fire from missiles and drones and, unfortunately, another 50 people have died in the capital, Kyiv. It’s not an easy situation, but people appreciate our work and our presence is very precious to them. Belonging to God ...

02Oct

Holy Mass of the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels | 02 October 2026

02 Oct, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels | 02 October 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

02Oct

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, giving thanks for the care and protection of the angels wh...

02 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of the Holy Guardian Angels, giving thanks for the care and protection of the angels whom God sends to accompany us throughout our lives.

Throughout Sacred Scripture, angels appear as messengers and servants of God, carrying out his will and helping his people. The Church has long held that each person is entrusted to the care of a guardian angel who watches over them and helps lead them towards God.

Jesus himself speaks of this special care in the Gospel of Matthew when he says: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”

Devotion to guardian angels developed gradually within the life of the Church. The early monastic tradition helped deepen awareness of the presence of the angels, while Saint Bernard of Clairvaux became one of the great teachers of devotion to them in the Middle Ages.

The feast of the Guardian Angels began to be celebrated more widely in the 16th century and was added to the Roman calendar by Pope Paul V in 1615.

Guardian angels are not simply part of childhood devotion. The Church teaches that their care accompanies us throughout life. They help us in our journey of faith, encourage us towards what is good and continually direct us towards God.

Today we give thanks for their unseen presence and ask that we may be attentive to the guidance God gives us through them.

🙏 Holy Guardian Angels, watch over us and lead us closer to God.

02Oct

Gospel

02 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5, 10
‘In heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.’

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.
‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.’

01Oct

Pope Leo’s prayer intention for October 2026

01 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Leo’s prayer intention for October 2026

For mental health ministry
Let us pray that mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.