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

Click here to visit the Jubilee 2025 website

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven,

may the faith you have given us

in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,

and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.

May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth,

when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,

your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

January 2026

12Jan

Gospel of the day (Mark 1:14-20)

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

Gospel of the day (Mark 1:14-20)

After John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

11Jan

The Baptism of the Lord invites us to contemplate Jesus as an adult, standing at the threshold of His public ministry

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

The Baptism of the Lord invites us to contemplate Jesus as an adult, standing at the threshold of His public ministry. This mystery is deeply connected to Christmas and the Epiphany, and helps us understand more fully who Christ is.

At Christmas, we celebrate the Word made flesh, born of the Virgin Mary. From the very first moment of His conception, Jesus was already the Christ. His humanity was consecrated and anointed by His own divine power. He did not become the Christ later in life. He was always the Son of God made man.

At the Epiphany, Christ was revealed to the nations, symbolised by the Magi who came from the East to adore Him. Now, at His Baptism in the Jordan, Jesus is manifested definitively as the Messiah to Israel and as the Son of the Father to the whole world.

The Father’s voice from heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit reveal the mystery of the Trinity. Father, Son and Holy Spirit are made known in Christ. The Spirit resting upon Jesus seals His mission as the Anointed One sent for the salvation of the world.

Though He was always the Christ, Jesus truly shared our humanity, growing in wisdom, stature and grace. At His Baptism, His identity and mission are made visible, marking the beginning of His saving work among us.

11Jan

Gospel of the day (Matthew 3:13-17)

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

Gospel of the day (Matthew 3:13-17)

At that time: Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptised by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?’ But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptised, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’

10Jan

Gospel of the day (John 3:22-30)

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

Gospel of the day (John 3:22-30)

At that time: Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptising. John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptised for John had not yet been put in prison.

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness — look, he is baptising, and all are going to him.’ John answered, ‘A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, “I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.” The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.’

09Jan

Gospel of the day (Luke 5:12-16)

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

Gospel of the day (Luke 5:12-16)

While Jesus was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, ‘Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.’ And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I will; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him. And he charged him to tell no one, but ‘go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.’ But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

08Jan

The first Extraordinary Consistory concluded this evening, but the next gathering is already scheduled

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

The first Extraordinary Consistory concluded this evening, but the next gathering is already scheduled. Pope Leo XIV announced that a further two-day Extraordinary Consistory will take place in June, close to the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, bringing Cardinals from across the world back to the Vatican.

The announcement was made by Pope Leo XIV himself during his concluding address at this afternoon’s third and final session, which was attended by 170 Cardinals.

The Holy Father explained that the June meeting will be in continuity with the requests that emerged from the general congregations prior to the Conclave. He also expressed his hope that Extraordinary Consistories might be held annually in the future.

Pope Leo XIV also reaffirmed that the Ecclesial Assembly announced last March will take place in October 2028.

08Jan

Gospel of the day (Luke 4:14-22a)

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

Gospel of the day (Luke 4:14-22a)

At that time: Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll, and found the place where it was written,

‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’

And he rolled up the scroll, and gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ And all spoke well of him and marvelled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.

07Jan

The new Young Adults series, in Diocese of Paisley, will focus on the Doctors of the Church

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

The new Young Adults series, in Diocese of Paisley, will focus on the Doctors of the Church. The series begins on Wednesday 14th January at 7pm in the Diocesan Office. The first in the series will be a talk on St Augustine by Fr Joe McGill.

All catholics age 18-35 are welcome.

For more information contact:
Fr. Joe McGill - [email protected]
Fr Paul Laverty - [email protected]

07Jan

The January 2026 'Safeguarding Matters' newsletter, from Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, brings news of some im...

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

The January 2026 'Safeguarding Matters' newsletter, from Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, brings news of some important developments planned for 2026 and features the following:
▶️ highlights of the 2025 National Safeguarding Conference
▶️ news of an important consultation on Clergy Safeguarding Training
▶️ news of the latest PSC training package
▶️ a summary of Safeguarding developments being planned for 2026

CLICK here to read: http://bit.ly/4qFznAa

07Jan

Pope Leo has convened an Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which takes place on Wednesday 7 January and Thursday 8 January ...

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

Pope Leo has convened an Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals, which takes place on Wednesday 7 January and Thursday 8 January at the Vatican.

The two-day gathering will reflect on key themes shaping the life and mission of the Church today.

During the Consistory, the Holy Father will meet with members of the College of Cardinals to encourage shared discernment and to receive their support and counsel in the governance of the universal Church.

The Consistory opens this afternoon at 4.00pm in the Synod Hall and will take place behind closed doors.

Tomorrow, Pope Leo XIV will concelebrate Mass with the cardinals at the Altar of the Chair in St Peter’s Basilica. The morning session will run from 9.30am to 12.45pm in the Synod Hall, followed by an afternoon session from 3.15pm to 7.00pm, concluding the gathering.

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