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

September 2026

18Sep

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

18 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Teachers from across Scotland gathered at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh for a Setting Out on the Road training day. The course marks an important step towards gaining the Catholic Teaching Certificate, enabling them to teach in Catholic schools.

Also pictured are Professor Roisín Coll, Professor of Catholic Education at the University of Glasgow, and James McDevitt, Associate Tutor (both left). We wish all those taking part every success as they continue their formation!

18Sep

Thanks to your support for Missio Scotland, and our PMS partners, a better standard of healthcare is being provided in countries...

18 Sep, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Thanks to your support for Missio Scotland, and our PMS partners, a better standard of healthcare is being provided in countries such as India!

#MissiosFridayFacts

@followers

18Sep

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian | 18 September 2026

18 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saints Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian | 18 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

18Sep

Gospel Luke 8:1-3

18 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel Luke 8:1-3
‘Some women were with them, who provided for them out of their means.’

At that time: Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.

17Sep

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Twenty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time | 17 September 2026

17 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Twenty Fourth Week of Ordinary Time | 17 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

17Sep

Gospel Luke 7:36-50

17 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel Luke 7:36-50
‘Her sins, which are many, are forgiven — for she loved much.’

At that time: One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answering said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he answered, ‘Say it, Teacher.’
‘A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven — for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

16Sep

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint Ninian | 16 September 2026

16 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint Ninian | 16 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

16Sep

Today the Church in Scotland celebrates Saint Ninian, traditionally honoured as Scotland’s first saint and one of the earliest m...

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

Today the Church in Scotland celebrates Saint Ninian, traditionally honoured as Scotland’s first saint and one of the earliest missionaries to bring the Christian faith to the people of this land.

Very little is known with certainty about Ninian’s life. No surviving written account comes from his own lifetime, and much of what we know comes from sources written centuries later. Historians therefore distinguish carefully between historical evidence and later tradition.

What is clear is that Whithorn in Galloway became one of the earliest and most important Christian centres in Scotland. Archaeological discoveries point to a thriving Christian community there from around the fifth century, with evidence of trade links reaching as far as the Mediterranean.

One of the most significant finds is the Latinus Stone, regarded as the earliest surviving Christian monument in Scotland and an important witness to the presence of Christianity at Whithorn.

Writing in the eighth century, the historian Bede described Ninian as “a most reverend bishop and holy man of the nation of the Britons”. He associated Ninian with a church at Whithorn dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours and known as Candida Casa, the “White House”, because it was said to have been built of stone in a way unfamiliar in the region.

By the seventh century, Whithorn had already become an important place of pilgrimage. Generations of Christians travelled there to pray at the shrine of Saint Ninian, seeking his intercession and giving thanks for favours received. Over the centuries, kings and ordinary pilgrims alike made the journey, helping to establish Whithorn as one of Scotland’s great pilgrimage destinations.

The figure of Saint Ninian may remain partly hidden from history, but the Christian legacy associated with him is unmistakable.

Today, we give thanks for the earliest roots of the faith in Scotland and for all those who, like Ninian, carried the Gospel to new places and new generations.

🙏 Saint Ninian, pray for us.

16Sep

Sixteen years ago today, Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Edinburgh Airport, beginning his historic State Visit to the United Kingdo...

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

Sixteen years ago today, Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Edinburgh Airport, beginning his historic State Visit to the United Kingdom in Scotland.

Following his welcome at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Holy Father travelled through Edinburgh before celebrating Holy Mass with tens of thousands of people at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow.

We remember with gratitude this very special day for the Church in Scotland, and the enduring witness of Pope Benedict XVI: a devoted servant of the Church, a teacher of the faith and a man of prayer.

16Sep

Gospel Luke 10:1-9

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

Gospel Luke 10:1-9
‘Your peace will rest upon him.’

At that time: The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money bag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this house!” And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the labourer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” ’