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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

April 2026

16Apr

In Bamenda, Cameroon, a little girl ran to Pope Leo XIV for a hug after Mass

16 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

In Bamenda, Cameroon, a little girl ran to Pope Leo XIV for a hug after Mass.

A small moment but one that says everything.

16Apr

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon yesterday as part of his Apostolic Journey across Africa

16 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Cameroon yesterday as part of his Apostolic Journey across Africa. 🇨🇲

Welcomed with great warmth, this visit continues his mission of strengthening the Church, encouraging the faithful, and standing in solidarity with communities across the continent.

His journey includes stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea.

16Apr

🙏 Millions of Christians all over the world are displaced because of violence and war, including in Ukraine

16 Apr, 2026 | ACN Scotland | Being Catholic |

🙏 Millions of Christians all over the world are displaced because of violence and war, including in Ukraine.

Join us at the Camp Out for Hope on Saturday, 30th May to stand with them and be the hope they need!

🔗 Signing up is essential - register at the link in our bio!

#ACNScotland #CampOutForHope #hopeforukraine

Motherwell Diocese Diocese of Motherwell Youth Archdiocese of Glasgow Diocese of Paisley Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh RC Diocese of Galloway Diocese of Galloway Youth RCAG YOUTH

16Apr

St John the Baptist Church in Uddingston is hosting a Divine Renovation Open Day on 25 April

16 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

St John the Baptist Church in Uddingston is hosting a Divine Renovation Open Day on 25 April. This is a free event.

Father James Mallon, the author of ‘Divine Renovation: Bringing Your Parish from Maintenance to Mission' and the founder of Divine Renovation, is travelling from Canada for the event.

Parishioners from St John the Baptist, who have organised a series of Alpha courses as part of the Wellspring initiative, will share their experience of how the parish is striving to evangelise, to be a missionary church, and to be a beacon of hope for God’s love.

The event, which runs from 9:30pm to 5pm at St John the Baptist, Uddingston will include a Mass celebrated by Bishop Toal.

All are welcome, and you can register at https://divinerenovation.org/calendar/open-house-scotland/

16Apr

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Second Week of Easter | 16 April 2026

16 Apr, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Second Week of Easter | 16 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

16Apr

Gospel

16 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 3:31-36
‘The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.’

At that time: Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.’

15Apr

Archbishop Richard Moth of Diocese of Westminster, Archbishop John Wilson of Archdiocese of Southwark, and the Bishops' Conferen...

15 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Archbishop Richard Moth of Diocese of Westminster, Archbishop John Wilson of Archdiocese of Southwark, and the Bishops' Conference of Scotland are standing firmly with Pope Leo XIV — highlighting the Church’s call to peace and reconciliation in times of conflict.

Read Edward Pentin’s report: https://ewtn.co.uk/article-church-leaders-worldwide-including-in-the-uk-defend-pope-leo-xiv-after-trump-criticism/

15Apr

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter | 15 April 2026

15 Apr, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the Second Week of Easter | 15 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

15Apr

Gospel

15 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 3:16-21
‘God sent his Son in order that the world might be saved through him.’

At that time: Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.’

14Apr

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter | 14 April 2026

14 Apr, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Second Week of Easter | 14 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356