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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

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn
May 2026
Press conference on the First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV’s, Magnifica Humanitas, which focuses on artificial intelligence.

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Gospel
John 19:25-34
‘Behold, your son! Behold, your mother!’

At that time: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfil the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished’, and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

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Mary’s divine motherhood gives a deeper meaning to the mystery of Christmas. She holds a unique place in the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, responding freely to God’s invitation through the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:26–38). Elizabeth recognises this extraordinary role when she says: “Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:42–43). As the Mother of God, Mary occupies a singular place within God’s plan of salvation.

Although he does not mention Mary by name, St Paul writes that “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law” (Galatians 4:4). He continues by explaining that God sends “the spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying out ‘Abba, Father!’” reminding us that through Christ, Mary becomes a mother to all who belong to him.

Many theologians have also reflected on Mary’s motherhood as part of God’s eternal plan for creation. Christ, the incarnate Word, was at the centre of God’s saving design from the beginning, the one through whom perfect love and worship would be offered to the Father on behalf of all creation. In this understanding, Mary too was chosen from all eternity to be the mother of the Son.

The title “Mother of God” dates back to at least the third or fourth century. In Greek, the title Theotokos, meaning “God-bearer,” became central to the Church’s teaching on the Incarnation. At the Council of Ephesus in 431, the Church solemnly affirmed that the Blessed Virgin could rightly be called Theotokos. Tradition tells us that crowds celebrated in the streets, crying out: “Praised be the Theotokos!” This teaching continues in the life of the Church today. In the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Mary is referred to as “Mother of God” twelve times, highlighting the enduring importance of her role in salvation history.

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Tomorrow, Pope Leo XIV will publish his first Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, focused on safeguarding the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.

Signed on 15th May, the document is already being seen as a significant contribution to the Church’s reflection on human dignity, technology and the future of society.

The Encyclical will be formally presented at the Vatican tomorrow morning, with Pope Leo XIV in attendance alongside theologians, Church leaders and experts in artificial intelligence.

As the Church continues to engage with the rapidly changing digital world, many will be looking to this first Encyclical for guidance, wisdom and hope.

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Earlier this week, people gathered at St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh for Sung Vespers and prayers for peace in the Holy Land.

Archbishop Cushley reflected on his recent visit to the Holy Land, saying: “I got to see how people of goodwill just want peace. Our Church is present there, and it is through charities like Friends of the Holy Land that we are able to reach out and help them.”

Brendan Metcalfe, CEO of Friends of the Holy Land, spoke of the importance of prayer and solidarity with Christian communities across the region, highlighting the ecumenical nature of the charity’s work.

The exhibition ‘50 Faces of the Holy Land’ continues to be on display at St Mary’s Cathedral this week.





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Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection: 24 May 2026

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A wonderful evening of music took place at Motherwell Cathedral as the Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes were joined by the Cantabile Ensemble for a special concert in the beautiful surroundings of the Cathedral.

The evening brought together talented musicians of all ages, including the orchestra’s Young Learners, whose performance highlighted the next generation of young musicians.

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Gospel
John 20:19-23
‘As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit.’

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.’

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Fairtrade is more than a label on your coffee or bananas - it’s a way to make trade work better for the people behind our favourite products. It involves working with small-scale farmers and workers around the world to build a fairer trade system - one where they can earn a decent income, work in safe conditions, and invest in their futures as they see fit. Perhaps plan something for Fairtrade Fortnight? (21st September – 4th October 2026)

#LaudatoSiWeek2026


Buying Fairtrade is easy. There are almost 5,000 Fairtrade products from coffee and tea to flowers and gold. When you shop, look for the FAIRTRADE Mark.
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Pentecost Vigil from St Margaret's Cathedral, Ayr

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