The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

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

March 2026

25Mar

Gospel

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
‘Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.’

At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.

24Mar

In every diocese during Holy Week, the Church gathers for the Chrism Mass

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In every diocese during Holy Week, the Church gathers for the Chrism Mass.

During this Mass:
• Priests renew the promises they made at ordination
• The Bishop blesses the oils used in Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders

📍 Find your diocesan Chrism Mass time here:

24Mar

Congratulations to the P7 pupils of St Andrew’s Primary School Gorebridge, who presented Marie-Alice with a £420 cheque in suppo...

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Congratulations to the P7 pupils of St Andrew’s Primary School Gorebridge, who presented Marie-Alice with a £420 cheque in support of Mary’s Meals.

With the support of their teachers, the class organised a fantastic Pancake Party, raising funds through a joyful and generous Lenten initiative.

Such was the success of the event that the school now hopes to make it an annual tradition.

24Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Parishioners gathered recently to celebrate and give thanks for the ministry of Father Andrew, marking his departure for a new chapter in Orkney.

It was a joyful and memorable evening, as the parish came together to wish him well and assure him of their prayers for the future.

24Mar

Gospel

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 8:21-30
‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Pharisees, ‘I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ So the Jews said, ‘Will he kill himself, since he says, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

23Mar

“Trust in God still…”

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

“Trust in God still…”

Join us this June for a Festival of Synodality — a day of encounter, listening, and renewal in the life of the Church in Scotland.

📅 Saturday 6th June
📍 Glasgow Caledonian University

Book your place today.
http://bit.ly/synodality26

23Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The parish community of St Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Linlithgow, gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of Canon Paul.

A joyful occasion of thanksgiving, marking this special milestone and giving thanks for his years of faithful service.

23Mar

A blessed couple of days were spent visiting the men in the Propaedeutic Period at the Scots College Salamanca

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A blessed couple of days were spent visiting the men in the Propaedeutic Period at the Scots College Salamanca.

Providentially, Fr Rogi Thomas was lecturing during the visit. Having previously studied and served in the Diocese of Dunkeld for a decade, he now serves at the Scots College Rome.

Please keep all those discerning a vocation to the priesthood in your prayers 🕊🙏

23Mar

Eucharistic Chain Mass in Scotland 23rd March 2026

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Eucharistic Chain Mass in Scotland 23rd March 2026

23Mar

Gospel

23 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 8:1-11
‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’

At that time: Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, ‘Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?’ This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.’