The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

29th April 2026

29 April 2026

Bishops' Conference of Scotland welcomes dismissal of "buffer zone" charges against Rose Docherty in Glasgow

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes Sheriff Stuart Reid’s dismissal of two criminal charges alleging “influencing” within a “buffer zone” against Rose Docherty, brought under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024.

Mrs Docherty was arrested last September near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after offering a consensual conversation and holding a sign reading: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”.

On Monday, Sheriff Reid dismissed the case against Rose, finding that the Procurator Fiscal had “failed to disclose an offence known to the law of Scotland”.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes the court’s decision to dismiss the charges brought against Rose Docherty. The ruling is an important reminder that peaceful, consensual conversation in a public place is protected, and that criminal offences must be clearly and properly made out on the evidence. This case should prompt a careful and thorough review of how "safe access zone” powers are applied so that they do not infringe fundamental rights."

20th March 2026

20 March 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Following a request from the Holy See, the Bishops of Scotland have been invited to reflect on how the structures of the Church in our country can best serve her mission in the years ahead, specifically whether the present situation of eight dioceses is suitable.

We are all aware of the challenges before us — fewer clergy, changing patterns of practice, and increasing pressures on our diocesan resources, among other things. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel and to lead our people to Christ.

Two possible pathways are being proposed for careful discernment: developing deeper cooperation and the sharing of resources across dioceses within our present structures, or the merging of some dioceses.

In order to best inform ourselves and the Holy See, each bishop will engage with his diocese over the coming months for the first part of this process. Everyone will be given the opportunity to pray, reflect, and contribute.

Following-on from the presentation of a discussion paper, responses from each diocese will contribute to the initial findings which will be given to the Holy See in the Autumn.

This is not simply an administrative exercise. It is a pastoral and missionary response to our changing landscape. This process will ensure our Church in Scotland will continue to grow ever more missionary, more Christ-centred, and more collaborative in the service of God’s people.

Entrusting this work to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to the intercession of Our Lady, we move forward together with confidence and renewed hope.

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

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

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Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

February 2026

09Feb

Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group at St Mary's St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh to...

09 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Students (and all aged 18-40) are welcome to join the Young Adults Group at St Mary's St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh tomorrow (Tuesday, 10 February) for a talk by Fr Paul Denney of Motherwell Diocese. Meet at 63 York Place at 7:00pm for teas/coffees, with the talk at 7:30pm.

09Feb

The Holy See has officially confirmed that the cause of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J

09 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Holy See has officially confirmed that the cause of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen may now proceed to beatification. The next step will be the celebration at which he will be declared Blessed.

Born in Illinois in 1895 and ordained for the Diocese of Peoria, Sheen became a well-known Catholic voice during the twentieth century. As a priest and later a bishop, he embraced the growing influence of radio and television to share the Gospel with a wide audience, most notably through his programme Life Is Worth Living. At a time when faith-based broadcasting was still developing, he demonstrated how modern media could be used thoughtfully and effectively in the service of Christ.

Rooted in a deep devotion to the Eucharist and to Our Lady, his ministry drew countless people into a deeper encounter with Jesus.

https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/us/fulton-sheen-beatification

09Feb

Gospel

09 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 6:53-56
‘As many as touched it were made well.’

At that time: When they had crossed over, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognised him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the market-places and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

08Feb

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection for 8 February 2026

08 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In this reflection for the Fifth Sunday of the Year, Bishop Joseph Toal prays the Angelus and speaks from St Bartholomew’s Church in Townhead, Coatbridge, where he has just celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Marking the World Day of Marriage, Bishop Toal reflects on the importance of marriage and family life in the Church and in society, asking the intercession of St Joseph for married couples and for those preparing to commit their lives in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

He also addresses the forthcoming assisted dying legislation in Scotland, encouraging Catholics to remain informed, engaged, and faithful to the Church’s teaching on the dignity and sanctity of human life.

As Lent approaches, Bishop Toal invites us to examine our relationship with God, to resist the pull toward self-determination, and to place our lives more fully in the Lord’s hands.

08Feb

Today is the World Day for Marriage

08 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Today is the World Day for Marriage.

This is a day we especially pray for married couples throughout the country. We exhort them to continue fostering the love of God in their union and their families. We pray for marriages in crisis that the sacrificial love of Christ may serve as a balm and an example. We pray that married couples may know their supernatural role in the world and in the Church as witnesses of the Trinity.

08Feb

Gospel

08 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
‘You are the light of the world.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

07Feb

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has released his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be marked on 11 February ...

07 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has released his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be marked on 11 February 2026.

World Day of the Sick was established in 1992 by Pope John Paul II as a dedicated day of prayer for those who are ill and for everyone who cares for them. It is also a moment for the Church to reflect more deeply on suffering, dignity and Christian compassion.

It is celebrated each year on 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This year’s theme is “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain.”

In his message, Pope Leo reflects on the parable of the Good Samaritan and reminds us that compassion is not simply a feeling. It is something we choose. It means stopping, noticing, drawing near and giving our time. It means refusing to pass by when someone is suffering.

Caring for the sick is not an optional extra in Christian life. It is central to the Gospel.

On 11 February we pray in a particular way for those who are ill, the elderly, those living with long term conditions, families and carers, and all who work in healthcare.

May we grow in that Samaritan spirit, willing to see, to stop and to love.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us. 🙏

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/01/20/260120d.html

07Feb

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

07 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Archbishop Cushley recently welcomed the President of Hungary Dr Tamás Sulyok and his wife Zsuzsanna Nagy to St Margaret's Parish, Dunfermline & Oakley.

Theuy were on pilgrimage in Scotland and prayed with Archbishop Cushley at the relic of the Saint Margaret, before visiting her tomb at Dunfermline Abbey.

Images: Dr. Sulyok Tamás

07Feb

Gospel

07 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34
‘They were like sheep without a shepherd.’

At that time: The Apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognised them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

06Feb

Long before Nagasaki became known to the world for the devastation of the atomic bomb, it was already sacred ground in the histo...

06 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Long before Nagasaki became known to the world for the devastation of the atomic bomb, it was already sacred ground in the history of the Church. In 1597, twenty six Christians were crucified on a hill overlooking the city, later known as the Holy Mountain. They came from every walk of life: priests and brothers, lay men and children, missionaries and local believers, all united by their faith in Christ.

Among them was Saint Paul Miki, a Japanese Jesuit, who preached forgiveness and hope from the cross itself. He declared that he was dying for no other reason than his faith in Christ, and prayed that his blood would bring new life to his people.

Though Christianity was later driven underground, the faith did not die. When missionaries returned to Japan in the nineteenth century, they discovered thousands of Christians around Nagasaki who had secretly preserved the faith for generations.

The Martyrs of Japan stand as a powerful witness to courage, forgiveness and faith lived to the end.

Martyrs of Japan, pray for us.