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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

30th July 2026


30 July 2026

Bishop Welcomes Prime Minister’s Call to Prioritise Care Reforms Before Westminster Assisted Suicide Vote

Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop with responsibility for Marriage, Family and Life for the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has welcomed Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s call for the serious gaps in palliative and social care to be addressed before the Westminster Parliament considers assisted suicide legislation.

Bishop Keenan said:

“The Prime Minister’s intervention is both timely and welcome. We have a duty to ensure that every person approaching the end of life has access to the compassionate palliative and social care they deserve. No one should ever feel driven towards assisted suicide because they lack the care, support or dignity they need.

“We were grateful that the Scottish Parliament resolutely rejected assisted suicide only recently. We hope this latest intervention will encourage Members of the Westminster Parliament to reflect carefully before taking a step that would fundamentally change the way our society cares for the sick and vulnerable.

“As our Catholic Parliamentary Officer, Anthony Horan, has rightly said: ‘The last thing the country needs is another divisive debate about assisted suicide. We need to make progress in improving palliative and social care, not offering vulnerable people state support to end their lives.’ I share that conviction wholeheartedly.

“This is an opportunity to rethink the whole approach to assisted suicide. The compassionate response to suffering is never to help people end their lives, but to ensure they receive the high-quality care, love and accompaniment they need. Let us pray for all who are seriously ill, for their families and carers, and for those in public office, that they may always uphold the dignity of every human life and work to build a society that truly cares for its most vulnerable members.”

Bishop John Keenan

President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Contact:

Media Office

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

News from the Commissions and Agencies

April 2026
As Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in Kilamba, Angola, he invites the faithful to give thanks to God for the gift of the Eucharist and to pray for their country.

He describes Angola as a “beautiful yet wounded country”, one that hungers and thirsts for hope, for peace, and for fraternity.

📸 Vatican Media







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Holy Mass of the Third Sunday of Easter | 19 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

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Gospel
Luke 24:13-35
‘He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.’

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’ And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if he were going farther, but they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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Now open at Orkney Museum, a new exhibition celebrating a remarkable artistic friendship.

“Lines of Light, Letters of George Mackay Brown” brings together portraits and personal letters reflecting the connection between George Mackay Brown and artist Ian Charles Scott.

One of Scotland’s Catholic writers, Brown drew deeply on the life and culture of Orkney. His faith shaped much of his work, with themes of community, time, and place running throughout. Scott’s paintings capture him in thoughtful, everyday moments, shaped by years of friendship. Alongside them, Brown’s letters offer a rare insight into his voice, including reflections on creativity and ordinary life.

Together, they tell the story of two creative lives closely connected.

🗓 Running until 25 April
📍 Orkney Arts, Museums and Heritage

Read more: https://bit.ly/4bMh6g0

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Could this be your role?

Helping to nurture the Catholic faith in a supportive and welcoming environment.

To find out more, please contact:
[email protected]

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A strong community is always built on the generosity of many. In Carfin, that spirit is alive and well.

For over fifty years, the Spiritan mission has been sustained not only by faith, but by the quiet dedication of volunteers who give their time so generously. From the charity shop and Tea Club to the sacristy and behind-the-scenes support, their contribution is at the heart of daily life in the community.

Recently, the team gathered to share a simple lunch together, a small way of saying thank them for all that they do. Their commitment continues to strengthen the mission and serve others in meaningful ways.

Please keep them in your prayers.

What’s happening at The Spiritans, Carfin:

* Daily Mass: Monday–Saturday at 12pm
* St Anthony Novena: Tuesdays at 6:30pm
* Monthly Adoration: First Monday of the month at 6:45pm
* Tuesday Tea Club: First Tuesday, 10:30am–1:30pm
* Charity Shop: Monday–Saturday, 10am–2pm
* Hall hire available







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They’re off! 🙌

Young people from the RC Diocese of Galloway are on their way to Dumfries for the 2026 Easter Youth Gathering. Everyone has been picked up and the journey is underway.

Follow their day at Diocese of Galloway Youth!

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Holy Mass of Saturday of the Second Week of Easter | 18 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

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One week to go ⏳

St John the Baptist Church in Uddingston will host a Divine Renovation Open Day on 25 April — a free event open to all.

Fr James Mallon, author of Divine Renovation: Bringing Your Parish from Maintenance to Mission, will be travelling from Canada to take part.

The day will include:

* Real experiences from parishioners running Alpha through the Wellspring initiative
* Insight into building a missionary parish
* Holy Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Toal

📍 St John the Baptist, Uddingston
🕤 9:30am – 5:00pm

This is a chance to see how parish renewal is taking shape in Scotland — and how communities are sharing the love of Christ in practical ways.

All are welcome. Register here:


The St John the Baptist Parish invites you to DR Open House Scotland, featuring Fr. James Mallon as keynote speaker, a chance to get inspired by priests and parishioners as they share stories of transformation. Hear their learnings and dream about the change that could happen in your own parish. If....
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Gospel
John 6:16-21
‘They saw Jesus walking on the sea.’

When evening came, the disciples of Jesus went down to the lake, got into a boat, and started across the lake to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The lake became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’ Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

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