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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

6th November 2026


06 November 2026

Scottish Bishops Promote ‘Show Mercy’ Theme for Prisoners’ Week 2026

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is encouraging parishes across the country to support Prisoners’ Week Scotland, taking place from 15 - 22 November, under the theme Show Mercy.

The annual initiative invites communities to reflect on the experiences of prisoners, their families, victims of crime and those working within Scotland’s prisons.

This year’s theme highlights the importance of recognising the dignity of every person, including those serving prison sentences.

Deacon Kenny McGeachie, lead Catholic chaplain for the Scottish Prison Service, said:

“This year’s Prisoners’ Week invites us to think more deeply about what it means to show mercy, particularly towards those who are already paying the price for their actions. I would encourage everyone to take part in Prisoners’ Week and reflect on how even a small act of kindness can affirm a person’s human dignity.”

One practical example is the Prisoners’ Week Dignity Fund, supported by the Society of St Vincent de Paul and other groups. The fund helps prisoners who lack financial resources or family support to obtain essential items, including suitable clothing for family funerals and basic necessities.

The Bishops’ Conference is encouraging parishes to make use of the Prisoners’ Week information packs distributed to parishes throughout Scotland, helping communities mark the week through prayer, reflection and practical support.

The public launch of Prisoners’ Week Scotland will take place on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm.

The event is open to everyone, and members of the public are warmly encouraged to attend.

Further information is available at www.prisonersweek.org.uk.

...ENDS

Notes to editor

  • Prisoners’ Week Scotland 2026 takes place from 15–22 November, with the theme Show Mercy. The public launch event will be held on Sunday 15 November at Freedom City Church, Cumbernauld, with charity and support-service stalls from 3pm. Everyone is welcome.
  • For further information, visit www.prisonersweek.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]

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]

News from the Commissions and Agencies

June 2026
𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱'𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀

The latest Bishops' Conference meeting took place in Glasgow on 11th June, with a full agenda considering a wide range of matters relating to the life and mission of the Church in Scotland.

The bishops received feedback from the recent consultation on diocesan boundaries. Using the Conversation in the Spirit method, the bishops prayerfully reflected on the contents of the reports and discussed concrete proposals for the future.

Within the area of evangelisation and proclamation, the bishops received ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue reports and reflected on key themes emerging from the recent Communications Conference in Rome.

They also welcomed the soon to be released study guide to Magnifica Humanitas, prepared by Justice and Peace Scotland, which aims to help parish groups to engage more deeply with Pope Leo’s important reflections on artificial intelligence, human dignity and the future of society.

The bishops reviewed resources prepared for this year’s Day for Life, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to promoting the dignity of every human person from conception until natural death.

In the area of formation for ministry, the bishops considered proposals relating to an Applicants’ Year for those discerning priestly formation and received an update on plans concerning the future provision of seminary formation and the acquisition of a new college in Rome.

The bishops also received a report on venues currently under consideration for a national museum and archives project, recognising the importance of preserving and promoting Scotland’s rich Catholic heritage for future generations.

Other matters discussed included the ongoing development of an electronic Celebret system for clergy, arrangements for the retreat day of the bishops’ in-service week in Salamanca, updates from Catholic organisations and youth movements, and proposals to strengthen co-operation and communication across Catholic agencies and apostolates.

The bishops entrusted all of these matters to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and asked the faithful throughout Scotland to continue to pray for the Church’s mission of evangelisation, renewal and service.

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At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’

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Next Sunday, the Catholic Church in Scotland joins with the Church in England and Wales and Ireland in marking Day for Life.

This annual day of prayer and reflection invites us to celebrate the gift of human life and to recognise the dignity of every person from conception to natural death.

This year's theme is The Wonder of the Child in the Womb.

#DayForLife #DayForLife2026

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Read all about the recent meeting at the Vatican between His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, Fr Vincent Lockhart and Missy Moo!

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POPE Leo XIV met some very important Scottish visitors at the Vatican recently in the shape of Missio Scotland’s National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, and our schools’ mascot Missy Moo!
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This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

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Matthew 5:38-42
‘I say to you: Do not resist the one who is evil.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you: Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.’

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This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

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And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve Apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
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