The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

5th May 2026

05 May 2026

Pastoral letter from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland on the Scottish Parliament Election

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election approaches, we find ourselves at another important moment in our nation’s life. Elections are not only political events but opportunities to reflect prayerfully on our responsibilities as citizens and disciples of Jesus Christ. Our participation in public life expresses our love of neighbour and our desire to build a society that honours God through truth, justice, and charity.

The Church and the political community have distinct roles, yet both serve the good of every person. The Church forms consciences through the light of the Gospel, while politics shapes society’s structures. When these work together respectfully, society flourishes, especially in its care for the weakest. It is therefore vital that Catholics approach this election with faith‑formed minds and hearts moved by charity.

Many in Scotland today face deep vulnerability: unborn children; the elderly; families in poverty; the disabled; those with poor mental health; people suffering addiction; victims of modern slavery; migrants seeking safety; people considering suicide; and victims of crime. They deserve not only compassion but public policies that protect their dignity. We need representatives who act with integrity, value every human life, and prioritise the poorest. Public service is noble when rooted in humility and the common good.

Our elected officials must also defend fundamental freedoms—thought, conscience, and religion—so Scotland remains a place where people can express beliefs openly and respectfully. Public discourse thrives when diverse voices can speak without fear and disagreements are handled with civility. Silencing religious expression deprives society of moral and spiritual richness.

We affirm the rights of parents, who have the God‑given responsibility to educate their children, including choosing schools that reflect their convictions. Authorities must safeguard this right and protect Catholic schools, which serve families of all backgrounds and help form young people in faith, virtue, and service. Attempts to marginalise, or remove, these schools would weaken Scotland’s educational diversity.

As you prepare to vote, reflect on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching - human dignity, the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity - which illuminate the key moral issues of our time:

the protection of life from conception to natural death;
care for the poor and vulnerable;
fair and sustainable economic conditions;
accessible healthcare;
the elimination of modern slavery;
the strengthening of marriage and family life;
care for creation;
the promotion of peace and support for poorer nations; and
the defence of religious freedom and conscience.

These are not merely political issues, but moral ones rooted in the Gospel and the Church’s commitment to every person’s dignity. Study and pray with these principles as you discern your vote. Resources from the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office ( rcpolitics.org) can help form your conscience, enabling you to seek truth, weigh moral implications, and consider the impact on the vulnerable. Above all, we urge you to use your right to vote.

We pray for respectful and honest conversation throughout this election. Political life must not be poisoned by anger, division, or populist rhetoric. May all debates reflect concern for human dignity and the common good.

We entrust Scotland—its people, leaders, and future—to the care of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. May her intercession guide us toward justice, compassion, and unity. May the Holy Spirit inspire candidates with integrity and humility, and voters with responsibility, prayerfulness, and love of neighbour.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

+ John Keenan, President, Bishop of Paisley

+ Brian McGee, Vice President, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles

+ Andrew McKenzie, Episcopal Secretary, Bishop of Dunkeld

+ Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

+ William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow

+ Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell

+ Hugh Gilbert, Bishop of Aberdeen

+ Francis Dougan, Bishop of Galloway

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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August 2025

09Aug

From "The Wisdom of the Cross", by Edith Stein

09 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

From "The Wisdom of the Cross", by Edith Stein
The gates of life open to believers in the Crucified

Christ put on the yoke of the Law, fulfilling the Law’s commands and dying for the Law and through the Law. By this he freed those who desire to receive life through him; but they cannot receive that life unless they themselves offer their own lives. For whoever is baptized into Christ Jesus is baptized into his death. They are immersed in his life so that they become like parts of his own body and, like the parts of his body, suffer with him and die. This life will come in its full abundance on the day of glory; but even now, still in the flesh, we can be part of it if we believe: if we believe Christ to have died for us in order to confer life on us. By that faith we are united to him as the body is united to the head; that faith opens to us the wellsprings of his life. Thus faith in the Crucified – living faith, united with devoted love – is for us the doorway to life and the beginning of the glory that is to come. Thus the Cross is our only boast: As for me, the only thing I can boast about is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.
Whoever chooses Christ is dead to the world and the world is dead to him. He bears the wounds of Christ in his body, he is weak and despised by men, but his cause is strong because the strength of God is made perfect in weakness. Knowing this, the disciple of Christ does not merely accept the Cross that has been laid upon him, but he himself crucifies his own self: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with all its passions and desires. They have fought a hard battle against their nature, so that the life of sin should die within them and the life of the Spirit be given room to flourish. That battle demands the greatest fortitude. But the Cross is not the end: it is lifted up and shows us the way to heaven. It is not merely a sign, but Christ’s undefeated weapon: it is the shepherd’s sling with which the divine David battles the evil Goliath. With it, Christ knocks loudly at the door of heaven and opens it. When these things come to pass the light of God will shine out and all who follow the Crucified will be filled with it.

09Aug

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) who gathered in Kigali, Rwanda from July 30 t...

09 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) who gathered in Kigali, Rwanda from July 30 to August 4 have concluded their Plenary Assembly with an appeal to the people of God in war torn areas on the continent to prioritize actions aimed at fostering lasting peace.

In their final message following the five-day Plenary Assembly that was realized under the theme, “Christ, Source of Hope, Reconciliation and Peace”, Africa’s Catholic Bishops said interethnic and interstate tensions in various African regions and countries have caused unimaginable suffering.

“The Church, as a witness to the suffering of peoples in areas plagued by armed conflict, must commit itself more vigorously to awareness-raising and concrete action for peace,” the Catholic Bishops said in their five-page document that was issued at the conclusion of the Plenary Assembly on August 4.

The Bishops want the Church in embattled areas to prioritize educating the younger generations in the ways of peace “so that every man and woman of Africa and Madagascar may become a channel of God’s peace in Christ Jesus.”

To also foster lasting peace in areas prone to violence in Africa, SECAM members further urged “political leaders to have at heart the wellbeing of the peoples they govern, to protect the weakest, and to promote dialogue and a better way of living together.”

“May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Africa, accompany the Church on our continent, so that she may bear witness to Jesus, our Peace and our Hope,” SECAM members implored at the plenary that brought together 13 Cardinals, 100 Archbishops and Bishops, over 200 Priests, and many Religious, and thousands of faithful.

Full story at: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/16891/catholic-bishops-in-africa-end-plenary-assembly-with-call-on-war-torn-communities-to-commit-to-lasting-peace

#CatholicChurch #ACIAfricaNews #ACIAfrica #vatican #catholic

08Aug

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

08 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

08Aug

💚You are warmly invited to join us in celebration of Holy Mass to mark the 60th Anniversary of SCIAF

08 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

💚You are warmly invited to join us in celebration of Holy Mass to mark the 60th Anniversary of SCIAF.

This special occasion offers us the opportunity to give thanks for six decades of walking in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in need, promoting human dignity, justice, and peace across the world.

We would be honoured by your presence as we unite in faith to renew our commitment to build a just and compassionate world, inspired by the Gospel.

Ahead of the Mass, we also invite you to take part in a special pilgrimage walk. The route will take us through the peaceful paths of Glasgow Green and along the banks of the River Clyde — a chance to walk together in nature, prayer and reflection.

RSVP by filling in this form: https://pulse.ly/cfhti5kcwy

08Aug

Hibernian FC celebrate 150th anniversary with special events and release of first biography of their founder | ICN

08 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/52959

Hibernian FC are celebrating their 150 years on Wednesday, 6th August, with an exhibition in the St Mary's Street Training Centre in Edinburgh and later a special dinner for 300 guests at their Easter Road stadium.The first biography of the founder, Catholic priest, Fr Edward Han...

08Aug

14 August: Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace - Vatican News

08 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-08/14-august-day-fasting-prayer-peace-uisg-invitation.html

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) calls for a worldwide Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace on August 14, 2025, the eve of the ...

07Aug

Saint Mary MacKillop | Franciscan Media

07 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-mary-mackillop/
Today’s Feast

Australia’s first canonized saint, Mother Mary MacKillop founded the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart, better known as the Josephite Sisters.

07Aug

The Bishops of Scotland are holding a Season of Creation Conference next month in Stirling

07 Aug, 2025 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Bishops of Scotland are holding a Season of Creation Conference next month in Stirling.

📅 Saturday 6 September 2025, 10am-3pm at St Margaret’s, Drip Road, Raploch, FK9 1RR.

Archbishop Nolan will be one of the main speakers along with Lorna Gold, Exec Director of the global Laudato Si Movement, Mark Booker of SCIAF and Ann-Marie Clements of Justice & Peace Scotland. Workshops, Q&A, idea sessions and more!

▪ Register at www.bcos.org.uk/scc25 (free event)

06Aug