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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News from the Commissions and Agencies

January 2026

15Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 1:40-45)

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

Gospel of the day (Mark 1:40-45)

At that time: A leper came to Jesus, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, ‘If you will, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, ‘See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

14Jan

Photos from Justice & Peace Scotland's post

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

✝️HOLY LAND COORDINATION 2026

🛩️Justice & Peace Scotland is preparing to travel to the Holy Land tomorrow as part of the Holy Land Coordination 2026. Archbishop Nolan, our President, and Anne-Marie Clements, our Catholic Social Teaching Engagement Officer, will join bishops from across Europe and North America in Jerusalem for the annual gathering.

📸The photos shared here from last year’s visit capture some of the people we met and the places we encountered.

🙏The work of the Holy Land Coordination is rooted in four interrelated pillars: Presence, Prayer, Pilgrimage, and Pressure. Through these, the bishops seek to stand in solidarity with local Christians, to pray with them, to encourage pilgrimages that sustain their communities, and to advocate for dignity and equal rights for all people in the region.

🕊️The theme for the 2026 visit is “A Land of Promise: Encounter and Dialogue with People of Hope.” Throughout the week, the programme will focus on meeting people living in Palestine and Israel and listening closely to their lived realities.
Our visit will include time with Christian communities in Israel and the West Bank, as well as meetings with church leaders, interfaith organisations, and peace advocacy groups.

📝As we did in 2025, we will be sharing reflections and updates through our “Journals from Jerusalem” series. We look forward to sharing these stories of hope, as they are told first-hand, over the coming week. Please keep an eye out for updates and photographs.

14Jan

Today, Pope Leo XIV was presented with the round mosaic bearing his official papal portrait — the 267th papal image to take its ...

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

Today, Pope Leo XIV was presented with the round mosaic bearing his official papal portrait — the 267th papal image to take its place in the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.

The papal mosaics of the basilica form a unique visual history of the Church, with portraits of every pope from St Peter to the present day lining the upper walls of the nave. Together, they serve as a powerful reminder of apostolic succession and the continuity of the Petrine ministry across the centuries.

The mosaic, which will be installed at the end of the right nave of the basilica, is made up of more than 15,000 tiles, including some dating back to the 1800s. At the conclusion of the presentation, the Holy Father invited all those present to pause with him in prayer before the image.

14Jan

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

As households across Scotland continue to feel the pressure of rising costs, many people may be missing out on financial support they are entitled to.

Social Security Scotland delivers 17 different payments supporting families on low incomes, disabled people, pensioners, unpaid carers, and young people starting work. Support is also available for heating costs and funeral expenses.

This includes:
• Scottish Child Payment (£27.15 per week per child)
• Disability Payments (up to £110.40 per week for those aged 66+)
• Carer Support Payment (£83.30 per week)
• Job Start Payment (£319.80 one-off payment)

Advice Direct Scotland warns that millions of pounds in benefits go unclaimed each year.

You can check your eligibility for free at benefits.advice.scot or call 0808 800 9060.

Taking a few minutes to check could make a real difference.

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 |