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

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]

11th October 2026

11 October 2026

Scotland’s Bishops Lead Prayers for Pope Leo

The Catholic bishops of Scotland have offered their prayers and support for Pope Leo XIV following the announcement today that he is to undergo surgery in the coming days.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square at today’s Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo revealed that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule on his lung. The Holy Father explained that it had been detected at a very early stage and that, following medical advice, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove it.

Speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan expressed the bishops’ solidarity with the Holy Father and invited Catholics and people of goodwill across Scotland to remember him in their prayers.

Bishop Keenan said:

“We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father’s health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world.

“At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem.

“On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support.

“We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery.

“May the Lord give him strength and peace in the days ahead.”

...ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of Pope Leo: Photo of Pope Leo XIV
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

October 2026

12Oct

Gospel

12 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:29-32
‘No sign will be given to this generation except the sign of the Prophet Jonah.’

At that time: When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgement with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgement with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.’

11Oct

𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼

11 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼

The Catholic bishops of Scotland have offered their prayers and support for Pope Leo XIV following the announcement today that he is to undergo surgery in the coming days.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square at today’s Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo revealed that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule on his lung. The Holy Father explained that it had been detected at a very early stage and that, following medical advice, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove it.

Speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan expressed the bishops’ solidarity with the Holy Father and invited Catholics and people of goodwill across Scotland to remember him in their prayers.

Bishop Keenan said:
“We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father’s health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world.

“At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem.

“On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support.

“We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery.

“May the Lord give him strength and peace in the days ahead.”

11Oct

Speaking at the Angelus this afternoon, Pope Leo XIV has shared that, during recent medical checks, doctors discovered a small, ...

11 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Speaking at the Angelus this afternoon, Pope Leo XIV has shared that, during recent medical checks, doctors discovered a small, localised nodule in his lung.

The Holy Father has reassured the faithful that it was detected at a very early stage and is well localised. Following medical advice, he will undergo a planned procedure in the coming days to have it removed.

Pope Leo thanked everyone for their spiritual closeness and entrusted himself to our prayers.

“Dear friends, during some recent medical examinations, doctors found a localised nodule in my lung. It was detected at a very early stage and is well localised. The doctors believe surgery is appropriate. Following their advice, I have therefore decided to undergo an operation to remove it. The operation is already scheduled for the coming days. I thank you for your spiritual closeness and entrust myself to your prayers.”

Let us keep Pope Leo XIV in our prayers as he prepares for surgery, asking the Lord to guide his medical team and grant him a smooth procedure and speedy recovery. 🙏

🎥 Source: Vatican Media

11Oct

Holy Mass of the Twenty Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 11 October 2026

11 Oct, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Twenty Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 11 October 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

11Oct

Gospel

11 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 22:1-10
‘Invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’

At that time: Jesus again spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people, in parables, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, “Tell those who are invited, ‘See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.’ ” But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.’

10Oct

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 10 October 2026

10 Oct, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 10 October 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

10Oct

Gospel

10 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 11:27-28
‘Blessed is the womb that bore you! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God.’

At that time: As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

09Oct

🌏 WORLDYOUTH DAY 2027 – SEOUL 🇰🇷

09 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

🌏 WORLDYOUTH DAY 2027 – SEOUL 🇰🇷

Interested in joining young Catholics from around the world for a celebration of faith with Pope Leo XIV?

World Youth Day takes place in Seoul, South Korea, from 3–8 August 2027. Scottish dioceses are preparing pilgrimages. Get in touch below to find out about taking part:

🔹 ARCHDIOCESE OF GLASGOW
Contact the RCAG Youth Office:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 ARCHDIOCESE OF ST ANDREWS & EDINBURGH
Contact the Archdiocesan Youth Office:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 DIOCESE OF PAISLEY
Contact Fr Ryan Black:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 DIOCESE OF ABERDEEN
Contact Sr Angela Marie:
📧 [email protected]

🔹 DIOCESE OF MOTHERWELL
Motherwell is gathering expressions of interest from those who would like to travel. Contact Mishal Novani to express your interest:
📧 [email protected]

Please contact the organising diocese directly for information about age requirements, availability, costs and travel arrangements.

🏴 CELEBRATING WORLD YOUTH DAY HERE IN SCOTLAND

The Diocese of Galloway is bringing the experience closer to home with “Galloway’s Seoul”, a five-day residential event from 7–11 August 2027 at Gowanbank, near Darvel.

Young people will enjoy Mass, prayer, inspiring talks, outdoor activities and friendship, while following the celebrations in Seoul.

Contact Fr Kevin Rennie and the Diocesan Youth Office:
📧 [email protected]

09Oct

Cardinal Tagle elected new Dean of College of Cardinals - Vatican News

09 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle succeeds 92-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re as Dean of the College of Cardinals.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle—Pro-Prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches within the Dicastery for ...

09Oct

Pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh have completed a six-stage journey along the Fife Pilgrim Way, wa...

09 Oct, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Pilgrims from across the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh have completed a six-stage journey along the Fife Pilgrim Way, walking from Culross to St Andrews over six Saturdays.

Deacon Pat Carrigan (centre) said: “The sun, the beautiful countryside and the easy company all made this pilgrimage a lasting memory as we walked from church to church.”

The pilgrims finished each stage with time for prayer at a local church before completing their journey at St James’ Church, St Andrews, in time for the Vigil Mass.