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

19th August 2026

19 August 2026

Church Leaders Welcome New Fund to Support Scotland’s Listed Places of Worship

Scotland’s Catholic bishops have joined other religious leaders in welcoming a new £1 million fund to cover the cost of repairs to listed buildings in Scotland.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Scotland, and Rt. Rev. Gordon Kennedy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said the money will provide much-needed support to maintain historically significant assets at the heart of community life.

The Scotland Places of Worship Fund will open this autumn to help congregations – from any faith group or denomination – recover VAT costs associated with repair works if they worship in a listed building.

The pilot scheme was developed in response to the closure of the previous UK-wide Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme earlier this year, which sent shockwaves throughout faith communities.

The Scottish Churches Leaders’ Forum and the Scottish Churches Committee urged the UK and Scottish Governments to ensure that listed places of worship are not disproportionately affected by the decision to end the grant scheme in Scotland.

Church members were invited to write to their local elected representatives asking them to lobby the Scottish Government to launch a substitute scheme to ease the financial pressure on congregations.

The money will be made available through the existing Historic Environment Scotland (HES) grants budget and is a standalone scheme.

Bishop Keenan said: “We warmly welcome Historic Environment Scotland's announcement of the Places of Worship Fund pilot for Scotland, which recognises the vital contribution that churches and other places of worship make to Scotland's heritage and community life.”

“The fund will provide much-needed support for the care and conservation of these important buildings, helping to address the loss of the previous UK-wide scheme.”

“We look forward to engaging constructively with Historic Environment Scotland and the Scottish Government as the pilot progresses and to discussions on establishing a permanent, sustainable funding arrangement for the future.”

Commenting on the announcement, the Rt. Rev. Gordon Kennedy said:

“I’m very grateful for the support of HES and the Scottish Government in recognising the importance of places of worship, which are so often cherished by people beyond members of the congregation.”

“We know how difficult it is for communities to lose their place of worship, and support for repairs and maintenance will help keep more places warm, wind and watertight, and it makes it just a wee bit easier for local volunteers to care for these historic assets.”

Religious leaders are encouraging eligible parishes and communities to consider applying when the fund opens for applications later this year. Detailed information can be found at:

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/about-us/news/hes-launches-pilot-fund-to-support-scotlands-historic-places-of-worship/

Contact:

Media Office

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

August 2026

16Aug

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 1:39-56
‘He who is mighty has done great things for me; he has exalted those of humble estate.’

In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.’

And Mary said,
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring for ever.’

And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

15Aug

Gospel

15 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 19:13-15
‘Do not hinder the little children from coming to me, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’

At that time: Children were brought to Jesus that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.

14Aug

Today the Church celebrates Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a Conventual Franciscan friar, priest and martyr who gave his life for ...

14 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the Church celebrates Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, a Conventual Franciscan friar, priest and martyr who gave his life for another prisoner at Auschwitz.

Born in Poland in 1894, Maximilian entered the Conventual Franciscans as a young man. Gifted academically and fascinated by science, he earned doctorates in philosophy and theology before being ordained a priest in 1918.

With a profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he founded the Militia of the Immaculata, seeking to bring people closer to Christ through prayer, witness and evangelisation. He also established the influential Knight of the Immaculata magazine and founded Niepokalanów, the “City of the Immaculata”, which became home to hundreds of Franciscan friars. His missionary work later took him to Japan, where he founded another community near Nagasaki.

Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, Kolbe and his friars sheltered refugees, including Jews. He was arrested by the Gestapo in February 1941 and eventually sent to Auschwitz, where he became prisoner number 16670.

Later that year, following the escape of a prisoner, ten men were selected to die by starvation as punishment. When one of those chosen, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out for his wife and children, Fr Kolbe stepped forward and offered to take his place.

His offer was accepted.

Kolbe and the other prisoners were confined without food or water. Witnesses recalled that he led the condemned men in prayer and hymns. After around two weeks, Kolbe remained alive and was killed by an injection of carbolic acid on 14 August 1941, the eve of the Solemnity of the Assumption.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe was canonised by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1982, who proclaimed him a “martyr of charity”.

His extraordinary sacrifice remains a powerful witness to the words of Christ: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

🙏 Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, pray for us.

14Aug

Gospel

14 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 19:3-12
‘Because of hardness of heart Moses allowed wives to be divorced, but from the beginning it was not so..’

At that time: Pharisees came up to Jesus and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?’ He answered, ‘Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh”? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no one separate.’ They said to him, ‘Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?’ He said to them, ‘Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.’
The disciples said to him, ‘If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.’ But he said to them, ‘Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.’

13Aug

Catholics across Scotland are encouraged to take part in the National Conversation, a UK-wide listening exercise giving people t...

13 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Catholics across Scotland are encouraged to take part in the National Conversation, a UK-wide listening exercise giving people the opportunity to share what is working well in their communities, the challenges they face, and their hopes for the future.

Our faith calls us to play an active part in society and to work for the common good. This is an opportunity to ensure that Catholic voices, experiences and values are part of this important national conversation.

Complete the National Conversation survey:
https://www.national-conversation.ox.ac.uk/

#CatholicsInTheConversation #NationalConversation

13Aug

Gospel

13 Aug, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 18:21-19:1
‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.’

At that time: Peter came up and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
‘Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.” And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, “Pay what you owe.” So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, “Have patience with me, and I will pay you.” He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, “You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.’
Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

12Aug

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗲

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

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗲

Today, the Requiem Mass of Ann Widdecombe, the former Member of the UK Parliament and Government minister, has taken place at Buckfast Abbey, where she was a regular worshipper.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, I offer our prayerful condolences to Ann’s family, friends and all who mourn her today. We join them in commending Ann’s soul to the loving mercy of God.

“Ann was a woman of sincere Catholic faith, sustained by prayer and the sacraments and was happy for her faith to be known publicly.’

“We pray that Christ welcomes her into the peace of His Kingdom."

12Aug

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 18:15-20
‘If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.’

11Aug

Gospel

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

Gospel
Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 12-14
‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones.’

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.
‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.’

11Aug

Today the Church celebrates Saint Clare of Assisi, one of the first followers of Saint Francis and foundress of the community th...

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

Today the Church celebrates Saint Clare of Assisi, one of the first followers of Saint Francis and foundress of the community that would become known as the Poor Clares.

Born in Assisi in 1193 or 1194 into a wealthy family, Clare was deeply moved by the preaching and example of Saint Francis of Assisi and his radical commitment to living the Gospel.

At around the age of 18, Clare secretly left her family home and travelled to the small chapel of the Portiuncula, where Francis and his brothers received her. There, her hair was cut and she exchanged her fine clothes for a simple religious habit, beginning a new life dedicated entirely to Christ.

Despite strong opposition from her family, Clare remained steadfast. Her younger sister Agnes soon joined her, followed by other women. Their community settled at San Damiano, outside Assisi, where they embraced a life centred on prayer, fraternity, service and Gospel poverty.

Clare became abbess of the community and remained so until her death. She cared particularly for her sick sisters and, despite suffering serious illness herself for many years, continued to guide the growing community.

Like Francis, Clare believed that following Christ meant placing complete trust in God. She worked throughout her life to preserve her community’s commitment to poverty. Shortly before her death, Pope Innocent IV approved her Rule, the first Rule written by a woman for a community of women to receive papal approval.

A famous tradition recalls that when San Damiano was threatened by attackers, Clare placed her trust in Christ and prayed before the Blessed Sacrament for the protection of her sisters. The attackers withdrew.

Saint Clare died on 11 August 1253 and was canonised just two years later by Pope Alexander IV.

Her life continues to remind us that our greatest treasure is found not in possessions, but in giving ourselves completely to Christ.

🙏 Saint Clare of Assisi, pray for us.