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

May 2026

16May

Gospel

16 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

Gospel
John 16:23b-28
‘The Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
‘I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.’

15May

This weekend, the second collection in parishes across Scotland will support Communications Sunday and the work of the Bishops’ ...

15 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

This weekend, the second collection in parishes across Scotland will support Communications Sunday and the work of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Office for Communications and Evangelisation.

Through digital media, livestreaming, social media and the press, the Church continues to share the Gospel with people across Scotland, including the sick, the housebound and those looking to deepen their faith.

Thank you for your continued support of this important work.

You can also donate online at: http://bit.ly/CommsSunday

15May

A warm welcome was extended to Archbishop Nolan and Archbishop Leo Cushley today at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotla...

15 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

A warm welcome was extended to Archbishop Nolan and Archbishop Leo Cushley today at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

It is believed to be the first occasion that two Catholic Archbishops have attended the Assembly together.

15May

The Church is not a club turned in on itself

15 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

The Church is not a club turned in on itself. It is called to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News.

In this powerful reflection for Communications Sunday, Bishop Frank reminds us that every Christian is called to be an evangeliser through our words, our witness, and the way we live our faith each day.

From stained glass windows to television and the digital world, the Church has always used every means possible to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it.

This weekend, there will be a special collection at Masses across Scotland for Communications Sunday, supporting the work of the Office for Communications and Evangelisation.

Please keep this mission in your prayers and, if you are able, support the collection at Mass or donate online via the link below.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/CommsSunday

15May

Holy Mass of Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | 15 May 2026

15 May, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter | 15 May 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

15May

The Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel continues in today’s digital world, and each of us has a part to play

15 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

The Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel continues in today’s digital world, and each of us has a part to play.

Communications Sunday, celebrated on 17th May, is an opportunity to reflect on how we share the message of Christ through media, technology, and communication. From livestreamed Masses and social media to videos, podcasts, news, and parish outreach, these platforms allow the Gospel to reach people wherever they are.

As Catholics, we can and must contribute to this effort by supporting the Church’s mission of evangelisation and by using our own voices to witness to faith, hope, and truth in the world around us.

A second collection will be taken up next weekend in support of the Office of Communications & Evangelisation of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Your support helps continue this important work across Scotland and beyond.

15May

Gospel

15 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel
John 16:20-23a
‘No one will take your joy from you.’

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. In that day you will ask nothing of me.’

14May

What does it mean to “Be a Public Catholic”?

14 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

What does it mean to “Be a Public Catholic”?

It means living our faith not only within the walls of our churches but also in the everyday moments of life: in our conversations, online presence, friendships, workplaces, and communities.

Communications Sunday, celebrated on 17th May, reminds us that every Catholic is called to witness to the Gospel in the world around them, including in the digital space. A simple post, message of encouragement, prayer, or act of kindness online can help someone encounter Christ in a new way.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

14May

What does it mean to truly listen to one another in the life of the Church?

14 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

What does it mean to truly listen to one another in the life of the Church?

At the Festival of Synodality, we’ll hear from people who have lived this journey at the heart of the Synod in Rome.

Bishop Brian McGee will be joined by Bishop Alan McGuckian, Fr David McCallum SJ, and Sandra Chaoul, who each played an important role in the Synod process through listening, discernment, and “Conversation in the Spirit”.

Together, they will share their experience of how the Holy Spirit is guiding the Church through dialogue, prayer, and encounter.

This is an opportunity to come together, listen deeply, and journey together in faith.

📍 Glasgow Caledonian University
📅 Saturday 6 June 2026
🕘 9am–4pm

Book now: bit.ly/synodality26

14May

A post from Bishops' Conference of Scotland

14 May, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |