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

Empty
Click + to add content

News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2026

14Jan

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time | 14 January 2026

14 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Wednesday of the First Week of Ordinary Time | 14 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

14Jan

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Bishop Vincent Logan (†14 January 2021), Emeritus Bishop of Dunkeld

14 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Bishop Vincent Logan (†14 January 2021), Emeritus Bishop of Dunkeld.

Bishop Vincent served the Diocese of Dunkeld for almost 32 years, from his appointment in 1981 until his retirement in 2012. Appointed by Pope John Paul II, he gave decades of generous and energetic service to the people of the diocese and to the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, where his work was widely valued and appreciated.

His later years were marked by ill health, borne with quiet dignity and faith. He died during the Covid pandemic, just one day after his close friend and brother bishop, Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, alongside whom he had served for many years.

On this anniversary, we remember Bishop Vincent with gratitude for his long priestly and episcopal ministry, his commitment to Catholic education and catechesis, and his faithful service to the Church in Scotland. We commend him to the mercy of God and pray for the repose of his soul, and for all who mourn him.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.

14Jan

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Bishop Vincent Logan (†14 January 2021), Emeritus Bishop of Dunkeld

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

14Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 1:29-39)

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

Gospel of the day (Mark 1:29-39)

At that time: Jesus left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, and they found him and said to him, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ And he said to them, ‘Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is what I came for.’ And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

13Jan

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia (†13 January 2021)

13 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia (†13 January 2021).

In his homily at the Requiem Mass, Bishop Hugh Gilbert offered an image that has stayed with many:

“A tree felled unexpectedly in the middle of the night… an uprooting that has changed the landscapes of so many lives.”

Five years on, that image continues to resonate. In the days and years since his death, many have come to see the depth of his roots, the shelter he gave, and the quiet strength on which so many relied. Bishop Hugh spoke of “the sound timber” of his life, a man of integrity, warmth and faith.

Today we give thanks for Archbishop Philip’s life and ministry, for his love of Christ and the Church, and for his faithful service to the people and the Church in Scotland. We commend him to God’s mercy.

“The great tree goes into the earth as a seed… Man’s winter, God’s spring.”

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace.

13Jan

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia (†13 January 2021)

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

13Jan

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint Kentigern | 13 January 2026

13 Jan, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of Saint Kentigern | 13 January 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

13Jan

Saint Kentigern, also known as Saint Mungo, was a sixth century bishop and missionary who played a central role in the early Chr...

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

Saint Kentigern, also known as Saint Mungo, was a sixth century bishop and missionary who played a central role in the early Christian history of western Scotland. Born around the year 518, he was educated in the Christian faith and eventually became bishop of Strathclyde, with his ministry centred on the Clyde valley.

His episcopate was marked by political instability and opposition, leading at one point to exile in Wales. There he continued his missionary work before later returning to Strathclyde, where he resumed his pastoral care and strengthened the Church among the Brittonic peoples of the region.

Saint Kentigern is traditionally credited with establishing a Christian settlement on the site of present day Glasgow, which grew into an important centre of worship and learning. His preaching, discipline and commitment to the faith helped lay lasting foundations for Christianity in Scotland.

He died around 612 and was venerated as a saint shortly after his death. His memory remains closely linked to the city of Glasgow, whose Christian heritage is inseparable from his life and mission.

13Jan

Gospel of the day (Luke 5:1-11)

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

Gospel of the day (Luke 5:1-11)

At that time: The crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear the word of God. He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered, ‘Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.’ And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signalled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.’ And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.

12Jan

🕊️PRAY AND ACT FOR PEACE

12 Jan, 2026 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

🕊️PRAY AND ACT FOR PEACE

Have you had time to reflect on Archbishop Nolan’s letter for Justice & Peace Sunday?

As we begin 2026 with daily news of violence, division, unrest, and conflict across our world it is easy to feel hopeless or that there is nothing we can do as individuals to make a difference. Yet in his Justice & Peace Sunday reflection, Archbishop Nolan reminded us that we are all part of humanity and all part of the world: peace is not something distant or abstract to be achieved by someone other than ourselves. Peace begins in every human human heart.

As we begin a new week we invite you to commit yourself in a special way to pray for peace: not only among nations and peoples torn apart by conflict but within our own hearts, our families, our neighbourhoods, and our communities.

When we take time to pray, we allow God to shape our hearts and from that prayer can grow small, faithful acts of patience, reconciliation, compassion, and courage that quietly build God’s kingdom of justice and peace.

Inspired by your prayer this week, what is one small thing you could do to help build peace where you are?