The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 30 May 2026
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The words chosen by a bishop at his episcopal consecration often become a guiding thread throughout his ministry.

In tonight’s video, Bishop Frank Dougan reflects on the meaning behind his episcopal motto: “Quench not the wavering flame.”

Inspired by the suffering servant songs of the Prophet Isaiah and the light of the Easter Vigil, Bishop Frank speaks about the delicate flame of faith, how easily it can be weakened, and the importance of protecting and nurturing it in others.

From one small flame can come a great light.

Watch now as Bishop Frank shares the story and spirituality behind his motto.

Gospel
Mark 11:11-26
‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations. Have faith in God.’

With the acclamation of the crowd, Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the Temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.
On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard it.
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the Temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the Temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the Temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, ‘Is it not written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations”? But you have made it a den of robbers.’ And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses’.

Every bishop has a motto. Chosen at the time of their episcopal consecration, these words often reflect the heart of their ministry, spirituality and mission.

In this new series, the Bishops of Scotland share the meaning behind their episcopal mottos.

We begin with Bishop Brian McGee, whose motto is: “Abide in me as I in you.”

Taken from the Gospel of St John at the Last Supper, Bishop Brian reflects on what it means to remain rooted in Christ, to live in communion with Him, and to allow that love to flow outward in service of others.

Watch now as Bishop Brian shares the inspiration behind the words that continue to shape his ministry.