The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

29th April 2026

29 April 2026

Bishops' Conference of Scotland welcomes dismissal of "buffer zone" charges against Rose Docherty in Glasgow

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes Sheriff Stuart Reid’s dismissal of two criminal charges alleging “influencing” within a “buffer zone” against Rose Docherty, brought under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024.

Mrs Docherty was arrested last September near the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow after offering a consensual conversation and holding a sign reading: “Coercion is a crime, here to talk, only if you want”.

On Monday, Sheriff Reid dismissed the case against Rose, finding that the Procurator Fiscal had “failed to disclose an offence known to the law of Scotland”.

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland welcomes the court’s decision to dismiss the charges brought against Rose Docherty. The ruling is an important reminder that peaceful, consensual conversation in a public place is protected, and that criminal offences must be clearly and properly made out on the evidence. This case should prompt a careful and thorough review of how "safe access zone” powers are applied so that they do not infringe fundamental rights."

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

April 2026

21Apr

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter | 21 April 2026

21 Apr, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter | 21 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

21Apr

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

21 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Pope Leo XIV boards the papal plane as he concludes his Apostolic Journey to Angola, departing for Equatorial Guinea, the final stop of his 11-day visit across four African nations.

📸 Vatican Media

21Apr

First anniversary of Pope Francis

21 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

First anniversary of Pope Francis.

Let us remember Pope Francis, who returned to the Father’s house one year ago today.

He served the Church with humility, tenderness, and a deep concern for those on the margins. Throughout his pontificate, he called us to encounter Christ, to live the joy of the Gospel, and to be a Church close to all.

He will be remembered as a shepherd who walked with his people, guiding the Church with compassion and faith.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him, may he rest in peace.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

21Apr

Gospel

21 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 6:30-35
‘It was not Moses but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.’

At that time: The crowd said to Jesus, ‘Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Jesus then said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’
Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’

20Apr

Pope Leo departing Luanda this morning, flying to Saurimo

20 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Pope Leo departing Luanda this morning, flying to Saurimo.

There, he will visit a care home for the elderly and celebrate Mass with the local community.

20Apr

Loving Father, for our friends, we offer prayers of gratitude that we have been drawn together

20 Apr, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Loving Father, for our friends, we offer prayers of gratitude that we have been drawn together. With each other’s love and help, may we draw closer to you

#MissiosMondayPrayer

@followers

20Apr

Holy Mass of Monday of the Third Week of Easter | 20 April 2026

20 Apr, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Monday of the Third Week of Easter | 20 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

20Apr

Gospel

20 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 6:22-29
‘Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.’

After Jesus had fed the five thousand, the disciples saw him walking on the lake. On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the lake saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they said to him, ‘Rabbi, when did you come here?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.’ Then they said to him, ‘What must we do, to be doing the works of God?’ Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.’

19Apr

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

19 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Sisters Nan Mackinnon (99) and Margaret Pope (96), of the Society of the Sacred Heart, have marked an extraordinary 75 years of profession to the Religious Life. 🙏🎉

A Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Fr Michael Downie of Nunraw Abbey, and Archbishop Leo Cushley visited them at Lauder Lodge earlier this week to present a Papal Blessing.

A beautiful witness of lifelong faith and service.

19Apr

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

19 Apr, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

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