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

20th October 2026

20 October 2026

Scottish Theologian Appointed to Vatican’s International Theological Commission

Dr Sara Parvis of the University of Edinburgh has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the International Theological Commission for its new five-year term (2026–2031).

The Commission brings together theologians from around the world to advise the Holy See on important questions of Catholic theology and doctrine.

Born in Aberdeen and raised in Edinburgh, Dr Parvis is an Associate Professor at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Divinity, specialising in early Christianity, Church history and patristic theology.

Welcoming the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:

“On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Scotland, I warmly congratulate Sara on her appointment by Pope Leo to this important Commission.

“This appointment is a recognition of her distinguished theological scholarship and of the contribution Scottish scholars continue to make to the life of the universal Church.

“We wish Sara every blessing as she takes up this important responsibility and assure her of our prayers.”

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Parvis said:

“It’s a great honour to be appointed to the International Theological Commission, and I’m very pleased to be bringing a Scottish perspective to the conversations the group will be having over the next few years.”

...ENDS

Notes to Editor

Photo of Dr Sara Parvis: Photo of Dr Sara Parvis
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]

11th October 2026

11 October 2026

Scotland’s Bishops Lead Prayers for Pope Leo

The Catholic bishops of Scotland have offered their prayers and support for Pope Leo XIV following the announcement today that he is to undergo surgery in the coming days.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square at today’s Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo revealed that recent medical examinations had identified a small, localised nodule on his lung. The Holy Father explained that it had been detected at a very early stage and that, following medical advice, he had decided to undergo surgery to remove it.

Speaking on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop John Keenan expressed the bishops’ solidarity with the Holy Father and invited Catholics and people of goodwill across Scotland to remember him in their prayers.

Bishop Keenan said:

“We are conscious of the concern that news of the Holy Father’s health will bring to Catholics and to so many others throughout the world.

“At this time, we wish to express our closeness to Pope Leo and our hope that he will be strengthened and reassured by the prayers and good wishes of so many people who hold him in great affection and esteem.

“On behalf of all the bishops of Scotland, I want to assure the Holy Father of our heartfelt prayers and support.

“We invite Catholics across Scotland, and all people of goodwill, to join us in praying for Pope Leo, for the medical team caring for him, and for a successful operation and a full and speedy recovery.

“May the Lord give him strength and peace in the days ahead.”

...ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of Pope Leo: Photo of Pope Leo XIV
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

September 2026

30Sep

Parents in Aberdeen are invited to make their views known in the online portal

30 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Parents in Aberdeen are invited to make their views known in the online portal. Full details attached.

“My child is only three – does this really apply to us?”

YES!

One of the most important things about the current Catholic Secondary School campaign is that we need to hear from families with children aged 0–18.

Your child doesn’t have to be approaching secondary school.

👶 Baby? Register.

🧸 Toddler? Register.

🎒 Primary school? Register.

📚 Secondary school age? Register.

This is about demonstrating the potential demand for Catholic secondary education in Aberdeen now and in the future.

If you would consider a Catholic secondary school for your child, please add your voice.

https://form.jotform.com/261192155489363

Every registration strengthens the case.

#AddYourVoice #CatholicEducation #Aberdeen

30Sep

Today the Church celebrates Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church, one of the greatest Scripture scholars in the history...

30 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the Church celebrates Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church, one of the greatest Scripture scholars in the history of Christianity.

Born around 347 in Stridon, in the region of Dalmatia, Jerome was educated in Rome and became an outstanding scholar of Latin, Greek and Hebrew. His extraordinary ability with languages would shape the work for which he is best remembered.

Jerome devoted much of his life to the study and translation of Sacred Scripture. At the request of Pope Damasus I, he began revising the existing Latin translations of the Bible. He later translated much of the Old Testament directly from Hebrew. His work became the basis of the Latin Bible known as the Vulgate, which profoundly influenced the life, worship and theology of the Western Church for centuries.

He was also a prolific writer, producing biblical commentaries, theological works and hundreds of letters. Jerome could be forceful and sometimes fiercely argumentative in defending what he believed to be the truth, but beneath this intensity was a deep love for Christ and for the Word of God.

After travelling widely, Jerome eventually settled in Bethlehem, close to the place of Christ’s birth. There he continued his life of prayer, study and writing, while also guiding religious communities.

Saint Jerome died in Bethlehem around the year 420. He is traditionally counted among the four great Doctors of the Western Church, alongside Saints Ambrose, Augustine and Gregory the Great.

His life reminds us that Sacred Scripture is not simply something to study, but something through which we encounter Christ himself.

One of the sayings most closely associated with Jerome expresses this conviction clearly: “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

🙏 Saint Jerome, pray for us.

30Sep

Gospel Luke 9:57-62

30 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel Luke 9:57-62
‘I will follow you wherever you go.’

At that time: As Jesus and his disciples were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ To another he said, ‘Follow me.’ But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’ Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’

29Sep

From his arrival at the Sanctuary and prayer at the Grotto of Massabielle, to the celebration of Holy Mass, his meeting with sic...

29 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

From his arrival at the Sanctuary and prayer at the Grotto of Massabielle, to the celebration of Holy Mass, his meeting with sick and disabled pilgrims at the Accueil Notre-Dame, and the Torchlight Marian Procession — these are some of the highlights from Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lourdes.

Pilgrims from across the world gathered to welcome the Holy Father for a remarkable two days of prayer, encounter and pilgrimage at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Watch the highlights from Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lourdes.

#PopeLeoXIV #Lourdes #OurLadyOfLourdes #CatholicChurch #ApostolicVisit

29Sep

Holy Mass of the Feast of the Archangels | 29 September 2026

29 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Feast of the Archangels | 29 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

29Sep

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the three Archangels named in Sacred Scripture

29 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the three Archangels named in Sacred Scripture.

The word “angel” means messenger, and throughout Scripture angels appear as servants of God who carry out his will. Among them, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are each entrusted with a particular mission.

Saint Michael appears in the Book of Daniel as the great prince who defends God’s people. In the Book of Revelation, he leads the heavenly armies in battle against the forces of evil. Devotion to Saint Michael is one of the Church’s oldest angelic devotions and he is traditionally invoked for protection and strength in spiritual battle.

Saint Gabriel is also mentioned in Daniel, but is best known from the Gospel of Luke. It is Gabriel who announces the birth of Saint John the Baptist to Zechariah and who is sent by God to Nazareth to announce to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she will become the Mother of Jesus. His greeting, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you,” has echoed through the prayer of the Church ever since.

Saint Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, where he accompanies the young Tobias on his journey, helps bring about his marriage to Sarah and restores the sight of his father Tobit. His name means “God heals”, and he is especially associated with healing, guidance and protection for travellers.

For centuries the three Archangels were honoured on separate days. In the revision of the Roman calendar following the Second Vatican Council, their celebrations were brought together on 29 September.

Today we give thanks for the unseen ministry of the angels and ask Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael to accompany us in faith, protect us from evil, guide us in God’s ways and help lead us closer to Christ.

🙏 Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, pray for us.

29Sep

Gospel John 1:47-51

29 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Gospel John 1:47-51
‘You will see the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’

At that time: Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered him, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’ Jesus answered him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree”, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’

28Sep

Medjugorje Mass | 28 September 2026

28 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Medjugorje Mass | 28 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

28Sep

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28 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | BCoS Facebook |

Pope Leo XIV concluded his visit to Lourdes by joining pilgrims for the traditional Torchlight Marian Procession.

As thousands gathered with candles raised across the Sanctuary, the evening became a powerful moment of prayer, devotion and unity around Our Lady.

A beautiful way to bring the Holy Father’s time in Lourdes to a close.

Here are some of the highlights from the procession.
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.

28Sep

Holy Mass of Monday the Twenty Sixth Week of Ordinary Time | 28 September 2026

28 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of Monday the Twenty Sixth Week of Ordinary Time | 28 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356