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

7th October 2026

7 October 2026

Catholic Parliamentary Office Welcomes SNP Decision to Withdraw Abortion Motion

The Catholic Parliamentary Office welcomes the decision of the Scottish National Party to remove from its conference agenda a proposed motion that would have sought to decriminalise self-administered abortion and significantly weaken legal protections for unborn children.

Last month, in response to reports of the motion, the Catholic Parliamentary Office expressed its concern that SNP members could be asked to support proposals that would have allowed self-administered abortion up to birth for any reason, including sex-selective abortion. At that time, CPO Director Anthony Horan noted that any measure which could permit abortion up to the point of birth and facilitate sex-selective abortion raised "profound moral and ethical concerns".

Commenting on the decision to withdraw the motion, Anthony Horan said:

"I welcome the decision of the SNP to remove this motion from its conference agenda. The proposals it contained would have represented a radical and unnecessary weakening of protections for unborn children and their mothers.

"Every human life possesses inherent dignity and worth from conception until natural death. A compassionate society is one that protects both mother and child.

"I am grateful to all those who highlighted the serious ethical concerns raised by these proposals and who encouraged reflection on the wider consequences of removing long-standing legal safeguards.

"Scotland faces many pressing challenges. Families are struggling with the cost of living, communities require better housing and healthcare provision, and we need greater investment in support for parents, children and high-quality palliative care. These are the issues that deserve the attention of our political leaders.

"I hope that this decision provides an opportunity for a more constructive conversation about how Scotland can support women facing difficult pregnancies while continuing to uphold respect for the dignity and value of every human life."

...ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of Anthony Horan, Director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office: Photo of Anthony Horan
The Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office works on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, by engaging with politicians and policymakers on matters central to the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
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

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

March 2026

26Mar

Gospel

26 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 8:51-59
‘Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Jews, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.’ The Jews said to him, ‘Now we know that you have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, “He is our God.” But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.’ So the Jews said to him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’ So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the Temple.

25Mar

What does parish renewal look like for us?

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

What does parish renewal look like for us?

Explore this question at the Divine Renovation Open House Scotland, with keynote speaker Fr James Mallon.

📅 Saturday 25 April
📍 Uddingston

Register now: https://divinerenovation.org/calendar/open-house-scotland/

25Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Last week, a Day of Prayer and Reflection was held alongside a Spring Coffee Morning, raising funds in support of the SCIAF Wee Box Lenten campaign for the people of Ethiopia at St. Vincent de Paul Parish East Kilbride.

Bringing together prayer, reflection and community, the event offered a meaningful way for parishioners to put their Lenten faith into action through generosity and solidarity with those most in need.

25Mar

The Solemnity of the Annunciation centres on one extraordinary truth: God became one of us

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Solemnity of the Annunciation centres on one extraordinary truth: God became one of us. As told in Luke 1:26 to 38, the eternal plan of God is fulfilled as the Son takes on our human nature. The Incarnation is the moment when heaven touches earth in love.

In accepting our humanity, Jesus embraces all creation and freely chooses a path of suffering and self giving love for our salvation. “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Mary holds a unique place in this mystery. Chosen by God from all eternity to be the mother of his Son, she cooperates fully with grace. Her yes makes room for God to act. Everything she is and everything she does is the work of God’s grace within her.

United with her Son in obedience to the Father’s will, Mary becomes the link between heaven and earth. In her humility and trust, she shows what God’s grace can accomplish in a human life.

The Annunciation reminds us that the Incarnation is not only a moment in history. It reveals what God desires for all of us: to receive his love and reflect it in our ordinary lives.

25Mar

Gospel

25 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Luke 1:26-38
‘Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son.’

At that time: The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, ‘Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!’ But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’
And Mary said to the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ And the angel answered her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy — the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.

24Mar

In every diocese during Holy Week, the Church gathers for the Chrism Mass

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In every diocese during Holy Week, the Church gathers for the Chrism Mass.

During this Mass:
• Priests renew the promises they made at ordination
• The Bishop blesses the oils used in Baptism, Confirmation, Anointing of the Sick, and Holy Orders

📍 Find your diocesan Chrism Mass time here:

24Mar

Congratulations to the P7 pupils of St Andrew’s Primary School Gorebridge, who presented Marie-Alice with a £420 cheque in suppo...

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Congratulations to the P7 pupils of St Andrew’s Primary School Gorebridge, who presented Marie-Alice with a £420 cheque in support of Mary’s Meals.

With the support of their teachers, the class organised a fantastic Pancake Party, raising funds through a joyful and generous Lenten initiative.

Such was the success of the event that the school now hopes to make it an annual tradition.

24Mar

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Parishioners gathered recently to celebrate and give thanks for the ministry of Father Andrew, marking his departure for a new chapter in Orkney.

It was a joyful and memorable evening, as the parish came together to wish him well and assure him of their prayers for the future.

24Mar

Gospel

24 Mar, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 8:21-30
‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.’

At that time: Jesus said to the Pharisees, ‘I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.’ So the Jews said, ‘Will he kill himself, since he says, “Where I am going, you cannot come”?’ He said to them, ‘You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.’ They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father. So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.’ As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

23Mar

“Trust in God still…”

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

“Trust in God still…”

Join us this June for a Festival of Synodality — a day of encounter, listening, and renewal in the life of the Church in Scotland.

📅 Saturday 6th June
📍 Glasgow Caledonian University

Book your place today.
http://bit.ly/synodality26