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

20th October 2026

20 October 2026

Scottish Theologian Appointed to Vatican’s International Theological Commission

Dr Sara Parvis of the University of Edinburgh has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the International Theological Commission for its new five-year term (2026–2031).

The Commission brings together theologians from around the world to advise the Holy See on important questions of Catholic theology and doctrine.

Born in Aberdeen and raised in Edinburgh, Dr Parvis is an Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, specialising in early Christianity, Church history and patristic theology.

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

“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Sara on her appointment by Pope Leo to this important Commission.

“This appointment is a recognition of her distinguished theological scholarship and of the contribution Scottish scholars continue to make to the life of the universal Church.

“We wish Sara every blessing as she takes up this important responsibility and assure her of our prayers.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Parvis said:

“It’s a great honour to be appointed to the International Theological Commission, and I’m very pleased to be bringing a Scottish perspective to the conversations the group will be having over the next few years.”

...ENDS

Notes to Editor

Photo of Dr Sara Parvis: Photo of Dr Sara Parvis
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]

11th October 2026

11 October 2026

Scotland’s Bishops Lead Prayers for Pope Leo

The Catholic bishops of Scotland have offered their prayers and support for Pope Leo XIV following the announcement today that he is to undergo surgery in the coming days.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square at today’s Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo revealed that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule on his lung. The Holy Father explained that it had been detected at a very early stage and that, following medical advice, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove it.

Speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan expressed the bishops’ solidarity with the Holy Father and invited Catholics and people of goodwill across Scotland to remember him in their prayers.

Bishop Keenan said:

“We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father’s health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world.

“At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem.

“On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support.

“We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery.

“May the Lord give him strength and peace in the days ahead.”

...ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of Pope Leo: Photo of Pope Leo XIV
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

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

October 2026

17Oct

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

17 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Saint Ignatius of Antioch

Born in Syria, Saint Ignatius became a Christian and later served as Bishop of Antioch. Around AD 107, during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Trajan, he refused to deny his faith in Christ. He was condemned to death and taken to Rome.

During this long journey, Ignatius wrote seven letters that remain an important witness to the faith of the early Church. Five were addressed to Christian communities in Asia Minor. In them, he encouraged believers to remain faithful to God, follow the guidance of their bishops and resist false teachings.

Another letter was written to Saint Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who would also later give his life for the faith. His final letter was addressed to the Christians in Rome. Knowing what awaited him, Ignatius asked them not to intervene to prevent his martyrdom. He wished to offer his life to God and remain faithful to Christ to the end.

Describing himself as the wheat of God, Ignatius expressed his willingness to be ground by the teeth of wild beasts so that he might become the pure bread of Christ. He faced his death in Rome with courage, leaving the Church a lasting example of faith, love and trust in God.

17Oct

Gospel

17 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 12:8-12
‘The Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men, will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.’

16Oct

Today’s update on Pope Leo.

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

Today’s update on Pope Leo.

On his fourth day in hospital, Pope Leo XIV's doctors say new blood tests and a chest X-ray confirm "the steady improvement in his overall condition.”

The Pope continues with respiratory physiotherapy, and he is carrying out his "normal daily activities entirely independently" as he recovers from surgery on Tuesday.

16Oct

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 12:1-7
‘Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.’

At that time: When so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
‘I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.’

15Oct

Pope Leo XIV had a good second night in Gemelli Hospital after his lung surgery on Tuesday

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

Pope Leo XIV had a good second night in Gemelli Hospital after his lung surgery on Tuesday.

The Holy See Press Office said on Thursday morning that the Pope got up and had breakfast.

15Oct

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 11:47-54
‘The blood of the prophets may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah.’

At that time: Jesus said, ‘Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your fathers killed. So you are witnesses and you consent to the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and persecute”, so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.’
As he went away from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to press him hard and to provoke him to speak about many things, lying in wait for him, to catch him in something he might say.

14Oct

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

Celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Rediscover the beauty of confession and the liberating power of God’s mercy through a free formation seminar hosted by the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Taking place on Friday, 23, and Saturday, 24, October, the seminar is open to all the faithful, with a particular welcome for laypeople. It will explore some of the difficulties we may encounter in approaching confession and help deepen our understanding of this sacrament.

You can participate online via YouTube, with simultaneous English interpretation available. The talks will also remain available on YouTube afterwards.

Participation is free, but registration is required for both online and in-person attendance.

14Oct

Further health update from The Holy See on Pope Leo today

14 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Further health update from The Holy See on Pope Leo today.

Dr. Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora have provided the following update on the Pope’s postoperative recovery:

This morning, the Holy Father underwent the blood tests and chest X-ray scheduled after surgery. The results confirm that his postoperative recovery is progressing normally: the values are within the expected range for the type of operation performed.

The Holy Father has undergone respiratory physiotherapy and has begun walking around his room. He has resumed eating normally and had breakfast and lunch.

His recovery is proceeding as expected.

We ask the people of Scotland to keep the Holy Father in their thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

Source: Vatican Media

14Oct

Gospel

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

Gospel
Luke 11:42-46
‘Woe to you Pharisees!
Woe to you lawyers also!’

At that time: Jesus said, ‘But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the market-places. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.’
One of the lawyers answered him, ‘Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.’ And he said, ‘Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.’

13Oct

The bishops of Scotland invite all Catholics and all people of goodwill across the country to keep Pope Leo XIV in their prayers...

13 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

The bishops of Scotland invite all Catholics and all people of goodwill across the country to keep Pope Leo XIV in their prayers following surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital this afternoon.

The Holy See Press Office has confirmed that tests carried out during the procedure have diagnosed the Holy Father with a common form of lung cancer.

The operation was successful, and there were no complications. Pope Leo is now recovering following surgery.

The bishops ask the people of Scotland to keep the Holy Father in their thoughts and prayers in the days ahead, together with the doctors, nurses and all those caring for him.

May the Lord grant Pope Leo strength, peace and healing as he begins his recovery.