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

22nd October 2026

22 October 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, has announced that he is stepping back from his daily duties until further notice, following medical advice.

Bishop Keenan has been undergoing medical investigations and will require further tests and examinations over the coming weeks.

During this time, Vicar General Monsignor Joe Burke will oversee the day-to-day running of the Diocese of Paisley.

Bishop Keenan hopes to provide a further update once these investigations are concluded and is grateful for your prayers at this time.

...ENDS

Notes for editors

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]

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]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

June 2026

24Jun

Holy Mass of the Nativity of John the Baptist | 24 June 2026

24 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Nativity of John the Baptist | 24 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

24Jun

Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than...

24 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Jesus called John the greatest of all those who had preceded him: “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John….” But John would have agreed completely with what Jesus added: “[Y]et the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he” (Luke 7:28).

John spent his time in the desert, an ascetic. He began to announce the coming of the Kingdom, and to call everyone to a fundamental reformation of life. His purpose was to prepare the way for Jesus. His baptism, he said, was for repentance. But one would come who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John was not worthy even to untie his sandals. His attitude toward Jesus was: “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30).

John was humbled to find among the crowd of sinners who came to be baptized the one whom he already knew to be the Messiah. “I need to be baptized by you” (Matthew 3:14b). But Jesus insisted, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15b). Jesus, true and humble human as well as eternal God, was eager to do what was required of any good Jew. Jesus thus publicly entered the community of those awaiting the Messiah. But making himself part of that community, he made it truly messianic.

The greatness of John, his pivotal place in the history of salvation, is seen in the great emphasis Luke gives to the announcement of his birth and the event itself—both made prominently parallel to the same occurrences in the life of Jesus. John attracted countless people to the banks of the Jordan, and it occurred to some people that he might be the Messiah. But he constantly deferred to Jesus, even to sending away some of his followers to become the first disciples of Jesus.

Perhaps John’s idea of the coming of the Kingdom of God was not being perfectly fulfilled in the public ministry of Jesus. For whatever reason, when he was in prison he sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the Messiah. Jesus’ answer showed that the Messiah was to be a figure like that of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah. John himself would share in the pattern of messianic suffering, losing his life to the revenge of Herodias.

24Jun

Gospel

24 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
Luke 1:57-66, 80
‘His name is John.’

The time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. And her neighbours and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, but his mother answered, ‘No; he shall be called John.’ And they said to her, ‘None of your relatives is called by this name.’ And they made signs to his father, enquiring what he wanted him to be called. And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John.’ And they all wondered. And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. And fear came on all their neighbours. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, ‘What then will this child be?’ For the hand of the Lord was with him.
And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

23Jun

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

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

A joyful occasion for the Church in Scotland as the new chapel and monastery at Carmel Glasgow were blessed by Archbishop Leo Cushley.

The celebration brought together many of the Carmelite communities from across Scotland, alongside Fr Dermot OP, marking an important milestone in the life of the Carmelite family and their continuing mission of prayer and contemplation.

We give thanks for this new sacred space and pray that it may be a place of peace, prayer and encounter with God for many years to come.

Please keep the Carmelite community in your prayers. 🙏

23Jun

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time | 23 June 2026

23 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time | 23 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

23Jun

Photos from Catholic Bishops' Conference (England and Wales)'s post

23 Jun, 2026 | Catholic Bishops' Conference (England and Wales) | Being Catholic |

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." - Psalms 139

Visit our website to see more prayers on Day for Life. https://www.cbcew.org.uk/dfl26-prayers

23Jun

Gospel

23 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
Matthew 7:6, 12-14
‘Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
‘So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
‘Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.’

22Jun

Holy Mass of Monday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time | 22 June 2026

22 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Monday of the Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time | 22 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

22Jun

Gospel

22 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 7:1-5
‘First take the log out of your own eye.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye”, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.’

21Jun

Sunday Reflection with Bishop Toal, 21 June 2026

21 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Sunday Reflection with Bishop Toal, 21 June 2026