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

25th May 2026

25 May 2026

First Encyclical of Pope Leo XIV: Magnifica Humanitas

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance.

We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text.

To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas:
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

News from the Commissions and Agencies

Archive by tag: Bishops' Conference of ScotlandReturn

September 2025

16Sep

SCIAF was founded 60 years ago in St Columbkille’s School, Rutherglen and yesterday a large crowd gathered in the parish for Mas...

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

SCIAF was founded 60 years ago in St Columbkille’s School, Rutherglen and yesterday a large crowd gathered in the parish for Mass to celebrate its anniversary. Over the past 6 decades, inspired by the Gospel, you have enabled SCIAF to support and accompany the world’s poor, treating them as sisters and brothers. Thank you!

16Sep

On this feast of St Ninian we celebrate 15 years since the visit of Pope Benedict XVI

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

On this feast of St Ninian we celebrate 15 years since the visit of Pope Benedict XVI.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“The Kingdom of God is very near to you!” (Lk 10:9). With these words of the Gospel we have just heard, I greet all of you with great affection in the Lord. Truly the Lord’s Kingdom is already in our midst! At this Eucharistic celebration in which the Church in Scotland gathers around the altar in union with the Successor of Peter, let us reaffirm our faith in Christ’s word and our hope – a hope which never disappoints – in his promises
Statue of St Ninian from St Ninian’s Parish Hamilton

16Sep

Saint Ninian declaration to 'deepen friendship' - Archdiocese of Edinburgh

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

Archbishop Cushley, Bishop President for Ecumenical Relations for the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, said: "By deepening the friendship, we strengthen our common witness to the Gospel in a world that longs for hope and reconciliation."

Archbishop Cushley will today (Tuesday 16 September) sign an historic declaration of friendship between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the […]

15Sep

Scottish charity in global campaign to boycott trade with illegal Israeli settlements

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

https://www.thenational.scot/news/25465680.scottish-charity-campaign-boycott-trade-israeli-settlements/

AN AGENCY of the Catholic Church in Scotland has joined an international campaign calling on governments to boycott trade with illegal Israeli…

14Sep

Pope at Angelus: God transforms the Cross into a means of life - Vatican News

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

At the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV reflects on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, saying the “immense love of God” transformed “an ...

14Sep

"Leo from Chicago," Vatican media’s documentary on Pope Leo XIV's United States roots - Vatican News

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

"Leo from Chicago," a documentary coming soon on Vatican media’s channels, will offer viewers an intimate portrait of Pope Leo XIV’s early life ...

14Sep

This content isn't available right now

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

When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

13Sep

LIVE: ‘Grace for the World’ Concert from Vatican City ft

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

https://www.youtube.com/live/UFixHZECa7A?si=ZwvN_AAPbUq9WEuq

Live musical performances will be held in St. Peter’s Square for the first time in history to celebrate the Vatican’s 2025 Jubilee Year. This landmark event ...

13Sep

Saturday 13 September 2025 Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, London Today we celebrated the “first ringing of the bel...

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

Saturday 13 September 2025 Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, London Today we celebrated the “first ringing of the bell” opening the new academic year of the Most Holy Virgin Mary’s (Saint Mary’s) Ukrainian school. The school’s director Pani Inna Hyrorovych MBE, welcomed the students, staff and parents to the new school year opening and asked Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski OBE to lead everyone in an opening prayer and bless the children. Those present also remembered and prayed for the 20,000 Ukrainian children kidnapped by russia and for all of the children in Ukraine who no longer can attend school because of the war. May God bless the students and teachers as they begin the school year!

13Sep

This content isn't available right now

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

The relics of St Carlo Acutis are now in Edinburgh.
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.