The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘀

The bishops of Scotland have begun a period of consultation with clergy and religious as part of their careful consideration of the revised translation of the Liturgy of the Hours, an essential element of the Church’s daily prayer. A one-week sample of the Divine Office has now been distributed digitally, enabling clergy and religious to pray with the text and offer their reflections and feedback.

The Church actively encourages all the People of God to pray the Divine Office as a way of nourishing their spiritual lives and deepening communion with the universal Church. For clergy and religious, however, the Liturgy of the Hours holds a uniquely central place. Through their ordination or profession, they undertake a solemn commitment to pray the Office each day for the Church and for the world. It is therefore not only a liturgical duty, but also an intimate and deeply personal part of their daily prayer.

In light of this, the bishops emphasise the importance of this consultation. The lived experience of clergy and religious, who pray the Office daily, will offer rich and invaluable insight.

This period of reflection will help ensure that any future decision supports the spiritual life of clergy and religious while also serving the wider mission of the Church, strengthening the rhythm of prayer that unites clergy, religious, and faithful alike.

Gospel
John 10:11-18
‘The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.’

At that time: Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.’

Sunday Reflection with Bishop Toal for 26th April 2026

Holy Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Easter | 26 April 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀' 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀

On behalf of the Bishops of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Archbishop Richard Moth on his appointment as President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. We look forward to working closely together in the proclamation of the Gospel and the service of the Church across our nations.
I also wish to express our sincere gratitude to Cardinal Nichols for his dedicated leadership and faithful service over many years.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland