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

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]

8th October 2026

8 October 2026

Parental and Pastoral Care Without Fear: A Response to the SNP Conference Motion on Conversion Practices

The Catholic Parliamentary Office shares the determination to protect every person from violence, coercion, and abuse and strongly believes that such conduct should be addressed effectively under the law, and those who have suffered harm should receive compassionate and appropriate support.

At the same time, the motion tabled at SNP Party Conference proposes a prohibition of exceptional breadth, extending across family life, religious settings, healthcare and situations in which an adult has sought assistance voluntarily. Without precise definitions and robust safeguards, such an approach risks treating ordinary conversations, conscientious guidance and supportive care as suspect simply because they engage questions of identity, relationships, faith or personal conduct.

Parents and carers have responsibilities for the welfare of their children, including listening, offering reassurance, setting appropriate boundaries and helping them to reflect carefully on significant decisions. A broadly framed ban could create uncertainty about whether a parent may ask questions, encourage patience, seek professional advice or discuss the family’s moral and religious convictions without fear that such conversations might later be characterised as unlawful.

This uncertainty could weaken trust within the home. Children and young people benefit when they can speak openly with those who know and love them best, without family members feeling compelled either to affirm immediately every stated view or to withdraw from sensitive discussion altogether.

Pastoral ministry is founded on respect for the dignity and freedom of every person. Clergy, chaplains and lay pastoral workers are called to listen without condemnation and to accompany people with sensitivity and discretion. Individuals may seek prayer, spiritual counsel or moral guidance for many reasons. They should remain free to ask for such support, and clergy should remain free to respond honestly and compassionately within the teaching of their faith, provided no abuse, intimidation or coercion is involved.

It is important, for the sake of clarity and legal certainty, that supporters of conversion practices legislation demonstrate which conduct that isn’t already illegal they intend to criminalise by the proposed new law. Moreover, it is vital that any new law contains clear protections for freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, private and family life, and the voluntary giving and receiving of pastoral care.

Anthony Horan

Director

Catholic Parliamentary Office

Bishops' Conference of Scotland

...ENDS

Notes for editors

Photo of Anthony Horan, Director of the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office: Photo of Anthony Horan
The Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office works on behalf of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, by engaging with politicians and policymakers on matters central to the life and mission of the Catholic Church.
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

23Sep

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Padre Pio | 23 September 2026

23 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Memorial of Padre Pio | 23 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

23Sep

Today the Church celebrates Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, the Capuchin Franciscan priest remembered for h...

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

Today the Church celebrates Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, better known as Padre Pio, the Capuchin Franciscan priest remembered for his extraordinary life of prayer, his ministry of reconciliation and his care for the sick and suffering.

Born Francesco Forgione in southern Italy in 1887, he entered the Capuchin Franciscans as a teenager, taking the name Pio. He was ordained a priest in 1910 and, in 1916, was assigned to the friary at San Giovanni Rotondo, where he would spend most of the remainder of his life.

In 1918, Padre Pio received the stigmata – wounds corresponding to those suffered by Christ during the Crucifixion. These remained with him for 50 years and brought enormous public attention as well as periods of investigation and restrictions by Church authorities, which he accepted in obedience.

At the heart of Padre Pio’s life, however, was his ministry as a priest. He spent countless hours hearing confessions, celebrated Mass with profound devotion and encouraged people to place prayer at the centre of their lives.

His concern for those who suffered was also intensely practical. He inspired the creation of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza – the “Home for the Relief of Suffering” – a hospital at San Giovanni Rotondo which opened in 1956 and continues its work today.

Padre Pio died on 23 September 1968. His funeral attracted enormous crowds, reflecting the devotion which had grown around his ministry during his lifetime.

He was beatified in 1999 and canonised by Pope Saint John Paul II on 16 June 2002 before hundreds of thousands of people gathered in and around Saint Peter’s Square.

Padre Pio’s life reminds us of the importance of prayer, reconciliation and loving service to those who suffer.

One of his best-known pieces of spiritual advice remains strikingly simple: “Pray, hope and don’t worry.”

🙏 Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, pray for us.

23Sep

Gospel Luke 9:1-6

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

Gospel Luke 9:1-6
‘He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.’

At that time: Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, ‘Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.’ And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

22Sep

📣Young Catholic adults

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

📣Young Catholic adults.

Speak up! Take action! Join a global family!

@SCIAF is launching Young Caritas Scotland: a new community for young adults who want to put their faith into action, meet likeminded people and help build a better world.

Join the movement today and help shape the world tomorrow: https://sciaf.beaconforms.com/form/8223e1f3

22Sep

Gospel Luke 8:19-21

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

Gospel Luke 8:19-21
‘My mother and my brothers and sisters are those who hear the word of God and do it.’

At that time: His mother and his brothers and sisters came to Jesus, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. And he was told, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are standing outside, desiring to see you.’ But he answered them, ‘My mother and my brothers and sisters are those who hear the word of God and do it.’

21Sep

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, who left behind his former life to follow Jesus

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

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist, who left behind his former life to follow Jesus.

Matthew was a tax collector, working within the Roman system and collecting taxes from his fellow Jews. Tax collectors were widely despised at the time, both because of their association with the occupying authorities and because some were known to profit personally from the taxes they collected.

Yet it was to Matthew that Jesus said simply: “Follow me.”

Matthew got up and followed him.

Soon afterwards, Jesus ate at Matthew’s house with other tax collectors and those regarded as sinners. The Pharisees were scandalised and asked why Jesus would associate with such people.

Jesus replied: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do… I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

Matthew’s call is a powerful reminder that Christ does not wait for us to become perfect before calling us. He meets people where they are and invites them into a new life.

Tradition identifies Matthew with the author of the Gospel that bears his name, and he has been honoured by the Church since ancient times as both Apostle and Evangelist.

His life reminds us of the transforming power of Christ’s mercy and of the call each of us receives to leave behind whatever holds us back and follow him more faithfully.

🙏 Saint Matthew, pray for us.

21Sep

Gospel Matthew 9:9-13

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

Gospel Matthew 9:9-13
‘I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’

At that time: As Jesus passed on from Capernaum, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him.
And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’

20Sep

Holy Mass of the Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 20 September 2026

20 Sep, 2026 | Being Catholic | Being Catholic |

Holy Mass of the Twenty Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time | 20 September 2026
This music is licensed under one license number: A-623356

20Sep

𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

20 Sep, 2026 | Bishops' Conference of Scotland | Being Catholic |

𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

At the request of the Holy See, we the Bishops of Scotland have been considering how our diocesan structures can best serve our shared mission in the years ahead.

This is not simply a question of boundaries, administrative adjustments or the sharing of resources more effectively. Primarily it is about how we can better proclaim the Gospel, support our clergy, religious and lay people, and strengthen our parishes and communities for evangelisation.

As part of this discernment, and informed by the diocesan feedback summaries, we considered a range of possible configurations.

The following options are now being presented for further reflection and consultation across all our eight dioceses:

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 1. Argyll & the Isles and Paisley merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 2. Argyll & the Isles and Glasgow merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 3. Paisley and Galloway merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 4. Galloway and Motherwell merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 5. St. Andrews & Edinburgh and Dunkeld merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 6. Motherwell, Paisley and Galloway merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 7. Maintain the current diocesan structures but with greater sharing and collaboration

These are possibilities for further discernment, not decisions or an agreed map for the future.

As your bishops, we recognise that dioceses are communities of faith with their own histories, relationships and traditions. Any change must therefore be approached with prayer, sensitivity and care for the people and communities involved.

Synodal discernment also asks each of us to look beyond our own self-interests and to consider what will best serve the Catholic Church in Scotland as a whole.

Everyone in every parish is encouraged to make their voice heard when opportunities for consultation are announced locally by their diocesan bishop.

Information packs will be made available in each diocese to support this next phase. These will provide an opportunity to learn more about each of Scotland’s eight dioceses, including important statistics and demographic information, so that the consultation can be informed by a fuller picture of Catholic life across the country. The fruits of the consultation will help us to formulate a concrete proposal to the Holy See.

For completeness, the following options were considered but will 𝗻𝗼𝘁 be taken forward:

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 1. Split Aberdeen at the Great Glen. Argyll and the Isles to merge with the territory north of the Great Glen and Dunkeld to merge with the territory south of the Great Glen.
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 2. Dunkeld and Aberdeen merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 3. Argyll & the Isles and Aberdeen merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 4. Argyll & the Isles and Dunkeld merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 5. Glasgow, Motherwell and Paisley merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 6. Glasgow and Paisley merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 7. St. Andrews & Edinburgh and Galloway merge
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ 8. Glasgow, Paisley and Argyll and the Isles merge

Finally, we encourage everyone to actively engage in this process, and to the keep this central question at the heart our prayer and reflection:
𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙥 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙝 𝙞𝙣 𝙎𝙘𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙂𝙤𝙙’𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚?

With every blessing,

+ 𝗟𝗲𝗼 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘆
Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh

+ 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺 𝗡𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻
Archbishop of Glasgow

+ 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗽𝗵 𝗧𝗼𝗮𝗹
Bishop of Motherwell

+ 𝗛𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗦𝗕
Bishop of Aberdeen

+ 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻
Bishop of Paisley

+ 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗲𝗲
Bishop of Argyll and the Isles

+ 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗮𝗻
Bishop of Galloway

+ 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗰𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘇𝗶𝗲
Bishop of Dunkeld

20Sep

Gospel Matthew 20:1-16

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

Gospel Matthew 20:1-16
‘Do you begrudge my generosity?’

At that time: Jesus told his disciples this parable, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market-place, and to them he said, “You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.” So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, “Why do you stand here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You go into the vineyard too.”
‘And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, “Call the labourers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.” And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” So the last will be first, and the first last.’