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

12Sep

Gospel Luke 6:43-49

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

Gospel Luke 6:43-49
‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and not do what I tell you?’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
‘Why do you call me “Lord, Lord”, and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.’

11Sep

𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

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

𝗔 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has written the following statement after today’s vote in the House of Commons:

“MPs can be confident that they have taken the correct and responsible course of action. Their vote serves to protect some of the UK’s most vulnerable individuals from the risk of being pressured into a premature death.

Every human life possesses inherent value. Genuine compassion is not expressed through ending a life, but through accompanying those who suffer and ensuring they receive the medical, emotional, and spiritual support that recognises their dignity. No life is without worth.

As a society, our responsibility is not to address suffering by eliminating the sufferer, but to surround each person with care, respect, and dignity until their natural end. Today’s decision, in conjunction with the decision of the Scottish Parliament in March, moves the UK further in that direction, and MPs should be commended for this.

However, we must continue to make progress. Government must now work hard to strengthen palliative care by ensuring that it is properly funded and accessible to all who require it.

I would like to express my gratitude to all MPs for their serious engagement with this issue and for the thoughtful and considered attention they have given to the bill. I am especially grateful to those who upheld the principle of human dignity and advocated on behalf of the vulnerable. Your principled commitment has not gone unnoticed.”

11Sep

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

The new seminarians have been settling into life in Rome as they begin this important stage of their formation.

Together with the Rector, Fr Mark Cassidy, and the new Vice-Rector, Fr Matthew Carlin, they celebrated Holy Mass in the Chapel of St Columbanus, in the Vatican Grottoes beneath St Peter’s Basilica.

They are also pictured following Sunday Mass in the Baptistery Chapel at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.

Please keep our new seminarians, and all those preparing for the priesthood, in your prayers as they begin a new year of formation.

11Sep

Holy Mass of Friday of the Twenty Third Week of Ordinary Time | 11 September 2026

11 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Friday of the Twenty Third Week of Ordinary Time | 11 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

11Sep

Ahead of today’s vote in the House of Commons, Bishop John Keenan has urged MPs to consider the serious safeguarding concerns su...

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

Ahead of today’s vote in the House of Commons, Bishop John Keenan has urged MPs to consider the serious safeguarding concerns surrounding assisted suicide.

He said: “Illness, frailty, disability, dependence or fear must never lead society to conclude that some lives are no longer worth living.”

As Parliament considers legislation with irreversible consequences, the dignity and protection of those who may be particularly vulnerable to pressure, fear or a sense of being a burden must remain at the heart of the debate.

11Sep

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 6:39-42
‘Can a blind man lead a blind man?’

At that time: Jesus told his disciples a parable: ‘Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone, when he is fully trained, will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye”, when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.’

10Sep

We are recruiting appealers across Scotland to share our mission with parishes

10 Sep, 2026 | ACN Scotland | Being Catholic |

We are recruiting appealers across Scotland to share our mission with parishes. Could you help persecuted and suffering Christians? Find out more: acnuk.org/jobs

#ACNScotland #HelpPersecutedChristians

10Sep

The Holy Bible Decoded: Numbers

10 Sep, 2026 | The Lay Companion | BCoS Facebook |

The Holy Bible Decoded: Numbers
Navigating the census records and wilderness wanderings of Numbers can feel daunting, but book four reveals a powerful story of faith, testing, and divine guidance. From the journey through the desert and the tests of obedience to the transition into the Promised Land, here is the ultimate overview of book four.
Save this post for your morning reflection, and follow @thelaycompanion for daily scripture breakdowns as we decode the entire Bible together.
Join me tomorrow for Part 5: Deuteronomy!
#BibleStudy #BookOfNumbers #ChristianCommunity #FaithJourney #ScriptureBreakdown

10Sep

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Twenty Third Week of Ordinary Time | 10 September 2026

10 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Thursday of the Twenty Third Week of Ordinary Time | 10 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

10Sep

Gospel Luke 6:27-38

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

Gospel Luke 6:27-38
‘Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you; and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
‘If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
‘Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.’