The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

13th April 2026

13 April 2026

Peace and Dialogue: the Gospel Response to Conflict

The Bishops of Scotland today renew their urgent appeal to political leaders across the world to pursue peace with courage, determination, and sincerity. In a time marked by deepening conflict and human suffering, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan, the need for dialogue and diplomatic solutions has never been more pressing.

War brings devastation, loss, and division. It leaves lasting wounds in families, communities, and nations, and it disproportionately harms the innocent. The Bishops call on all those in positions of authority to reject the path of escalation and instead commit themselves to meaningful dialogue, patient negotiation, and the difficult but necessary work of peacebuilding.

The Bishops express their gratitude to Pope Leo for his clear and consistent voice in calling for peace. His leadership continues to be a guiding light for the Church and the world at this critical time.

Reflecting on the Holy Father’s recent Vigil for Peace held last Saturday, the Bishops highlight his powerful words:
“Let us silence the weapons, so that the voice of humanity may be heard. Let us choose encounter over confrontation, and the courage of peace over the illusion of power.”

The Bishops of Scotland invite Catholics across our country to join the Holy Father in this appeal. In parishes, homes, and communities, we continue to pray fervently for an end to violence and for the triumph of justice and reconciliation.

The Bishops urge all people of goodwill to stand together in hope. Peace is not beyond reach - but it requires genuine humility, courage, and a shared commitment to the dignity of every human life.

As the Holy Father begins his apostolic journey to several countries in Africa as a missionary of peace, we assure him of our continued prayers and solidarity.

Image: Pope Leo XIV by Edgar Beltrán / Wikimedia Commons

20th March 2026

20 March 2026

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Following a request from the Holy See, the Bishops of Scotland have been invited to reflect on how the structures of the Church in our country can best serve her mission in the years ahead, specifically whether the present situation of eight dioceses is suitable.

We are all aware of the challenges before us — fewer clergy, changing patterns of practice, and increasing pressures on our diocesan resources, among other things. Yet our mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel and to lead our people to Christ.

Two possible pathways are being proposed for careful discernment: developing deeper cooperation and the sharing of resources across dioceses within our present structures, or the merging of some dioceses.

In order to best inform ourselves and the Holy See, each bishop will engage with his diocese over the coming months for the first part of this process. Everyone will be given the opportunity to pray, reflect, and contribute.

Following-on from the presentation of a discussion paper, responses from each diocese will contribute to the initial findings which will be given to the Holy See in the Autumn.

This is not simply an administrative exercise. It is a pastoral and missionary response to our changing landscape. This process will ensure our Church in Scotland will continue to grow ever more missionary, more Christ-centred, and more collaborative in the service of God’s people.

Entrusting this work to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and to the intercession of Our Lady, we move forward together with confidence and renewed hope.

Contact:

Media Office

Bishops’ Conference of Scotland
64 Aitken Street, ML6 6LT
Tel: 01236 764061
Email: [email protected]

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

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News from the Commissions and Agencies

September 2025

28Sep

📢 URGENT: Pray and Act for Gaza

28 Sep, 2025 | Justice & Peace Scotland | Justice & Peace Scotland Facebook |

📢 URGENT: Pray and Act for Gaza

As we approach two years of war in Gaza, Justice & Peace Scotland is inviting everyone to take part in two simple but powerful actions:

🕯️ Step 1: Light a Prayer for Peace
On 7th October, join us in a day of prayer for peace in the Holy Land.

✍️ Step 2: Write to Your MP
Use our template letter to call on the UK Government to do more to end the suffering, ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in desperate need, reunite Israeli hostages with their families and, most importantly, work for a just and lasting peace for all Palestinians and Israelis.

🎥We’ve recorded a short video to explain how you can get involved. Please watch and share it widely so that as many people as possible can join this action of faith and solidarity.

Through prayer and advocacy, we can shine a light in the darkness and stand with those most in need.

➡️ Find all the details, including a template MP letter and prayers, on our website and in the comments below.

27Sep

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

27 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

27Sep

🇻🇦🇬🇧 Their Majesties will undertake a State Visit to the Holy See in late October, joining Pope Leo XIV in celebrating the Jubil...

27 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

🇻🇦🇬🇧 Their Majesties will undertake a State Visit to the Holy See in late October, joining Pope Leo XIV in celebrating the Jubilee Year.

A Papal Jubilee occurs every 25 years, and is a special time for the Catholic Church. The visit will also celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the Jubilee’s theme of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

27Sep

Saint Vincent de Paul | Franciscan Media

27 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pray for all our SVP Conferences on their feast day 🙏

The experience and needs of the poor turned Saint Vincent de Paul’s heart and energies to a life of care and compassion. A grumpy man by nature—and by his own admission--Vincent became a gentle and loving servant of the oppressed. The Saint Vincent de Paul Society carries on his work in many par...

26Sep

Pope names Archbishop Iannone as Prefect of Dicastery for Bishops - Vatican News

26 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

In his first appointment of a head of a Vatican department, Pope Leo names Archbishop Filippo Iannone, O. Carm. – who has been serving as Prefect of ...

26Sep

Photos from Diocese of Argyll & the Isles's post

26 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

26Sep

ABOUT | Missio Scotland

26 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Mission Month and Mission Sunday
https://www.missioscotland.com/about
Mission and evangelisation are at the very heart of the Church’s identity and purpose. The month of October is dedicated in a special way to promoting and supporting the Church’s missionary work. This emphasis is particularly close to the heart of Pope Leo, who himself served as a missionary in Peru.

Throughout October, the Holy Father urges the whole People of God to pray for the Church in mission countries, especially where the Church is small, poor, or newly established.

Each parish priest should already have received a pack from the Missio Scotland office containing resources and information to assist in marking Mission Month.

The annual collection for the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Missio) is taken up in every parish on Mission Sunday, 19th October and the funds collected sent to the Missio Scotland office as soon as possible.

Finally, please encourage your parishioners to keep the global Church family in their hearts and prayers during this Mission Month.

Sincerely in Christ,

Vincent

Missio Scotland is the Holy Father's official charity for overseas mission. We are part of a global network serving the church in over 120 countries.

26Sep

Migrants, missionaries of hope

26 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

25Sep

Nuncio asks for prayers and action for war-torn Sudan - Vatican News

25 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-09/apostolic-nuncio-archbishop-horgan-sudan-war-pope-closeness-pray.html

The closeness of the Pope and of the Church to the war-struck people of Sudan was at the heart of the Apostolic Nuncio‘s mission as he travelled to ...

25Sep

Pope at Audience: Jesus redeems darkest places of human existence - Vatican News

25 Sep, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-09/pope-leo-jesus-redeems-the-darkest-places-of-human-existence.html

At the General Audience, Pope Leo XIV reflects on Jesus’ descent into the underworld on Holy Saturday to bring light to the darkness of human ...