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

03Jun

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions | 03 June 2026

03 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions | 03 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

03Jun

Saint Charles Lwanga was one of the 22 Ugandan Martyrs who gave their lives for Christ in the late nineteenth century

03 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Saint Charles Lwanga was one of the 22 Ugandan Martyrs who gave their lives for Christ in the late nineteenth century. He embraced the Catholic faith and was baptised in November 1885, less than a year before his martyrdom. He became a courageous witness to the Gospel and a moral leader among the young pages of the royal court.

As chief of the royal pages, Charles was respected for his strength, leadership, and character. He instructed many of his companions in the Catholic faith and even baptised some of the younger boys himself. During a time of growing persecution under the ruler Mwanga, Charles encouraged his fellow pages to remain faithful to Christ and to live lives of purity and courage.

Mwanga, influenced by fear and superstition, began to see Christianity as a threat to his power. Christians refused to take part in immoral acts, violence, and pagan worship, which caused suspicion within the royal court. Charles and his companions were eventually imprisoned for refusing the king’s demands and for remaining steadfast in their faith.

Condemned to death, Charles faced martyrdom with remarkable peace. On 3 June 1886, at Namugongo, he was burned alive for refusing to renounce his faith. Even in the face of death, he remained calm and prayerful, offering his life for Christ.

When Pope Paul VI canonised Charles Lwanga and his companions in 1964, the Church recognised their extraordinary witness of faith, purity, and courage. Today, Saint Charles Lwanga is honoured as the patron saint of African youth and Catholic Action throughout much of Africa.

03Jun

This week, as part of Scotland’s Curriculum Improvement Cycle, the focus is on Religious Education in Roman Catholic Schools (RE...

03 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This week, as part of Scotland’s Curriculum Improvement Cycle, the focus is on Religious Education in Roman Catholic Schools (RERC).

In this short reel, practitioners share their reflections and experiences of the work undertaken so far, highlighting the important role of Religious Education in the life of our schools.

You can learn more about the Curriculum Improvement Cycle by visiting the Education Scotland blog: https://ow.ly/XyxX50WO7gP

#CatholicEducation #RERC #ScottishSchools #EducationScotland #CatholicSchools

03Jun

Gospel

03 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
Mark 12:18-27
‘He is not God of the dead, but of the living.’

At that time: Sadducees came to Jesus, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, ‘Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife, but leaves no child, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers; the first took a wife, and when he died left no offspring. And the second took her, and died, leaving no offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven left no offspring. Last of all the woman also died. In the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.’
Jesus said to them, ‘Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God spoke to him, saying, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? He is not God of the dead, but of the living. You are quite wrong.’

02Jun

Where do we encounter God most deeply?

02 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Where do we encounter God most deeply?

In tonight’s video, Archbishop William Nolan reflects on the meaning behind his episcopal motto: “Sibilus Aurae Tenius” translated as “The Sound of Sheer Silence.”

Drawing on the story of the Prophet Elijah on Mount Sinai, Archbishop Nolan reflects on discovering God not in noise, power or spectacle, but in silence.

In a world filled with distraction and constant noise, Archbishop Nolan shares why silence remains essential to prayer, faith and encountering the presence of God.

Watch now as Archbishop Nolan explains the inspiration behind his motto.

02Jun

Where do we encounter God most deeply?

02 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Where do we encounter God most deeply?

In tonight’s video, Archbishop William Nolan reflects on the meaning behind his episcopal motto: “Sibilus Aurae Tenuis", translated as “The Sound of Sheer Silence.”

Drawing on the story of the Prophet Elijah on Mount Sinai, Archbishop Nolan reflects on discovering God not in noise, power or spectacle, but in silence.

In a world filled with distraction and constant noise, Archbishop Nolan shares why silence remains essential to prayer, faith and encountering the presence of God.

Watch now as Archbishop Nolan explains the inspiration behind his motto.

02Jun

In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the challenge of remaining truly human in an age increasingly shaped by artifi...

02 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the challenge of remaining truly human in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

He warns against a future where technology attempts to replace what lies at the very heart of humanity: love, compassion, sacrifice and authentic human relationships.

The Holy Father reminds us that a society rooted in love, mercy and human dignity can never simply be engineered or automated.

As AI continues to develop at extraordinary speed, the Church calls us to ensure that technology always serves the human person and the common good.

Explore Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, and reflect on his vision for faith, humanity and the future of technology:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

02Jun

Today’s Time for Reflection at the Scottish Parliament was led by Archbishop Leo Cushley, who spoke about the importance not onl...

02 Jun, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today’s Time for Reflection at the Scottish Parliament was led by Archbishop Leo Cushley, who spoke about the importance not only of speaking, but of truly listening.

Archbishop Cushley reflected on how easy it can be for voices to be heard, but not truly listened to. He encouraged members of the new Parliament to develop “the art of listening” in the search for the common good.

“Let the Best Idea win — and let’s be listening out for it.”

Please keep all Members of the Scottish Parliament in your prayers as they begin this new parliamentary term and the important work ahead.

02Jun

In his monthly reflection, Missio Scotland's National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, speaks to us from the Assembly of National ...

02 Jun, 2026 | Missio Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In his monthly reflection, Missio Scotland's National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, speaks to us from the Assembly of National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Rome about the importance of the global family that we have in the Church. He even gets some of that global family to wish Scotland well at the upcoming World Cup!

#NDsMonthlyReflection

@followers

02Jun

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time | 02 June 2026

02 Jun, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Tuesday of the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time | 02 June 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356