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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

February 2026

09Feb

Gospel

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

Gospel
Mark 6:53-56
‘As many as touched it were made well.’

At that time: When they had crossed over, Jesus and his disciples came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognised him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the market-places and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

08Feb

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection for 8 February 2026

08 Feb, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

In this reflection for the Fifth Sunday of the Year, Bishop Joseph Toal prays the Angelus and speaks from St Bartholomew’s Church in Townhead, Coatbridge, where he has just celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Marking the World Day of Marriage, Bishop Toal reflects on the importance of marriage and family life in the Church and in society, asking the intercession of St Joseph for married couples and for those preparing to commit their lives in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

He also addresses the forthcoming assisted dying legislation in Scotland, encouraging Catholics to remain informed, engaged, and faithful to the Church’s teaching on the dignity and sanctity of human life.

As Lent approaches, Bishop Toal invites us to examine our relationship with God, to resist the pull toward self-determination, and to place our lives more fully in the Lord’s hands.

08Feb

Bishop Toal Sunday Reflection for 8 February 2026

08 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

08Feb

Today is the World Day for Marriage

08 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Today is the World Day for Marriage.

This is a day we especially pray for married couples throughout the country. We exhort them to continue fostering the love of God in their union and their families. We pray for marriages in crisis that the sacrificial love of Christ may serve as a balm and an example. We pray that married couples may know their supernatural role in the world and in the Church as witnesses of the Trinity.

08Feb

Holy Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 08 February 2026

08 Feb, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 08 February 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

08Feb

Gospel

08 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Matthew 5:13-16
‘You are the light of the world.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.’

07Feb

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has released his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be marked on 11 February ...

07 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has released his message for the 34th World Day of the Sick, which will be marked on 11 February 2026.

World Day of the Sick was established in 1992 by Pope John Paul II as a dedicated day of prayer for those who are ill and for everyone who cares for them. It is also a moment for the Church to reflect more deeply on suffering, dignity and Christian compassion.

It is celebrated each year on 11 February, the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This year’s theme is “The compassion of the Samaritan: loving by bearing another’s pain.”

In his message, Pope Leo reflects on the parable of the Good Samaritan and reminds us that compassion is not simply a feeling. It is something we choose. It means stopping, noticing, drawing near and giving our time. It means refusing to pass by when someone is suffering.

Caring for the sick is not an optional extra in Christian life. It is central to the Gospel.

On 11 February we pray in a particular way for those who are ill, the elderly, those living with long term conditions, families and carers, and all who work in healthcare.

May we grow in that Samaritan spirit, willing to see, to stop and to love.

Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us. 🙏

https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2026/01/20/260120d.html

07Feb

Photos from Bishops' Conference of Scotland's post

07 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Archbishop Cushley recently welcomed the President of Hungary Dr Tamás Sulyok and his wife Zsuzsanna Nagy to St Margaret's Parish, Dunfermline & Oakley.

Theuy were on pilgrimage in Scotland and prayed with Archbishop Cushley at the relic of the Saint Margaret, before visiting her tomb at Dunfermline Abbey.

Images: Dr. Sulyok Tamás

07Feb

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 07 February 2026

07 Feb, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 07 February 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

07Feb

Gospel

07 Feb, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 6:30-34
‘They were like sheep without a shepherd.’

At that time: The Apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. Now many saw them going and recognised them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.