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

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

This content isn't available right now

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

28Sep

Gospel Luke 9:46-50

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

Gospel Luke 9:46-50
‘He who is least among you all is the one who is great.’

At that time: An argument arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, ‘Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among all of you is the one who is great.’
John answered, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.’ But Jesus said to him, ‘Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.’

27Sep

Rosary procession and torchlight procession in Lourdes

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

27Sep

For more than four decades, this pilgrim has been returning to Lourdes — and this week he travelled from Belfast to be here for ...

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

For more than four decades, this pilgrim has been returning to Lourdes — and this week he travelled from Belfast to be here for the visit of Pope Leo XIV.

He shared what has kept drawing him back to the Sanctuary over the years, why Lourdes continues to mean so much to him, and what it has been like to experience the Holy Father’s visit.

A remarkable witness to a lifetime of pilgrimage, prayer and devotion.

27Sep

Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the Prairie in Lourdes today as Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass during his Apostolic Visit t...

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

Thousands of pilgrims gathered on the Prairie in Lourdes today as Pope Leo XIV celebrated Holy Mass during his Apostolic Visit to France.

It was a powerful moment of prayer at the heart of the Sanctuary, bringing together pilgrims from across the world — including the sick, volunteers, families and groups who had travelled to Lourdes for the Holy Father’s visit.

Here are some of the highlights from this morning’s celebration of Mass.