Bishops announce new digital platform

Being Catholic TV is the new official digital platform of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland.

The announcement was made today as part of the Bishops' mission to strengthen digital evangelisation across Scotland through its new Office of Communications and Evangelisation.

Fr Michael Kane, of St Augustine's in Coatbridge and who helped launch Being Catholic TV, has been appointed Director of the office.

Bishop Frank Dougan (Galloway Diocese), who has episcopal responsibility for Communications, said: “We are launching this new initiative because evangelisation is at the heart of the Church’s mission.

"We are called to be missionaries, using every means available to reach everyone we can — including the opportunities offered by digital media.”

Being Catholic TV will provide video content, live events and other faith resources.

The channel was founded at St Augustine's in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As it grew, it launched on Roku TV and the Amazon Fire TV platform and now broadcasts 24 hours a day.

Content including live Daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, catechesis and talks, religious films, Christian music programmes and more.

The Office of Communications and Evangelisation will:

Bishop John Keenan, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled at the launch of this new office and we hope everyone across the Church will be involved in its work.

"There is so much happening across Scotland to build up the family of faith, and this office will help us tell that story.”

Read the full press release from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland here.

Parish bulletin update for Sunday

Here is our round-up of forthcoming events for parish bulletins.

WhatsApp
The Archdiocese has launched a WhatsApp channel — a new and convenient way to stay informed and connected with the life of our Archdiocese. Join the channel at bit.ly/archwhatsapp

Venerable Margaret Sinclair event
Commemorate the centenary of the death of Venerable Margaret Sinclair on Saturday 22 November 2025 by meeting at her former grave in Mount Vernon Cemetery, Edinburgh, at 9:00am to pray the Rosary. This will be followed by a walk to her tomb at St Patrick's in The Cowgate. Benediction at 12:15pm followed by Holy Mass at 12:30pm. A Centenary Mass will be offered at the Sacred Heart Altar, in St Patrick's on Monday 24 November at 5:45pm.

Day for the Poor
This Sunday is the annual special collection for World Day for the Poor. All funds will go to the Mercy Centre, run by the Sisters of Mercy at St Catharine's Convent of Mercy, Lauriston. Sr Aelred Timmins said: "Homeless people come here every day for food, sometimes for sleeping bags, most of all they're looking for friendship and a listening ear. Please keep us in your prayers, and we are grateful to anybody who is able to support the works of mercy in this house." Donate online at bit.ly/dayforpoor. Watch the 45 second video at bit.ly/mercycentre

Confession event
If you have not been to confession for a while, come to this Archdiocese event as we prepare spiritually for Christmas. 'RETURN: A day to help you get back to Confession' takes place from 10:00am-4:00pm on Saturday 22 November at The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB. Includes talks, testimonials, prayer and a chance to go to Confession. All welcome. Register at bit.ly/returntoconfession

Diploma in Catechetics - register now
Explore the richness of the Catholic faith in 2026 by taking the Diploma in Catechetics. The popular course is run by the Archdiocese and takes place at 7:30pm each Thursday on Zoom, starting on 22 January. Be quick, places limited to 100. Cost £220. Registration and details at bit.ly/diploma2026 Advent Rosary for Life
Every Monday in Advent at 7:45pm to pray for unborn children, their mothers, and all pro-life intentions. Each session is on Zoom and lasts about 30 minutes. Following the Rosary there is a short reflection from a guest speaker: Deacon David Harper (1 Dec, Diocese of Motherwell), Isabel Vaughan-Spruce (8 Dec, March for Life UK), Fr Jamie McMorrin (15 Dec, St Margaret’s, Edinburgh), and Archbishop Leo Cushley (22 Dec). Register at bit.ly/rosary25

How to use AI to speak up for the vulnerable
This Beginner level webinar will show you how to use AI tools to find key pro-life points and express them naturally in your own tone of voice — helping you write to politicians with clarity and confidence. Monday, 17 November, 7:45pm on Zoom. Register: bit.ly/prolifeai

Red Wednesday at Cathedral
Archbishop Cushley, will celebrate Mass at 7:00pm on Wednesday 19 November at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, to pray for Christians across the world who suffer for their faith. William More of Aid to the Church in Need, will speak at the Mass.

Mass for Young Adults
Archbishop Cushley invites Young Adults for Mass on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 23 November at 7:00pm, in the Jesuit Church of the Sacred Heart, 26 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh.

Catholic Conversations for Women

All women are welcome to this event on Saturday, 29 November, 3:45pm-4:45pm in St Andrew’s Parish rooms (77 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS) for refreshments and faith-focused discussion. Holy Hour with Adoration & Vespers from 5:10pm with the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma. Register at edinburgh@almamercy.org or call 0131 343 3380.

New Coat of Arms for Bishops' Conference

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland (BCoS) has a new Coat of Arms, created by one of the oldest heraldic courts in the world.

The Lord Lyon, Rev Dr Joseph John Morrow, recently presented the design to Archbishop Cushley at St Bennet's in Edinburgh who in turn shared it at a recent meeting of the Bishops' Conference.

The design is registered by the Lyon Court, one of the oldest heraldic courts in the world, under the authority of The King.

Archbishop Cushley described the design, saying: "Coats of arms are intended to convey a description of the person or institution in question.

"In this case, the saltire represents Scotland and its principal patron St Andrew.

"The gold martlet (bird) is taken from the coat of arms of St Margaret of Scotland, the secondary patron of our nation.

"The two crossed-over bishops’ croziers represent the two ecclesiastical provinces that exist in Scotland today, of St Andrews & Edinburgh and of Glasgow respectively.

"The red tressure (border) around the inner rim of the coat of arms, in canon law indicates episcopal authority over a given area, while in Scots heraldry the tressure symbolises a clan or group of colleagues, thus indicating the bishops as a conference.

"Finally, the Celtic Cross behind the arms reminds us of the very ancient roots of the Catholic Church in Scotland, going back to St Ninian in the fourth century AD."

(L-r) Bishop Brian McGee (Argyll & the Isles), Bishop Andrew McKenzie (Dunkeld), Bishop Frank Dougan (Galloway), Archbishop Leo Cushley (St Andrews & Edinburgh), Bishop John Keenan (Paisley), Bishop Hugh Gilbert (Aberdeen), Bishop Joseph Toal (Motherwell), Archbishop Bill Nolan (Glasgow).

 

WATCH: Archbishop's message for All Souls

Archbishop Cushley today prayed for all the Faithful Departed who have died over the last year in the Archdiocese.

He celebrated the Annual Mass at Mount Vernon Cemetery Chapel in Edinburgh and said: "It's always a lovely moment when we get together and comfort each other with the assurance of our faith."

Special mention was given to the deceased priests and religious sisters who have died in the last year: Fr Gordown Browm, Mgr Alistair Lawson, Canon John Urquhart, Fr John Callaghan, Fr Tony Quinlan OMI, Sr Mary Rose Moran RSM, Sr Monica McDonald RSCJ, Sr Christine Triay RSCJ, and Sr Veronica Marshall OSC.

Watch the video message below or on YouTube.

 

Join the Archdiocese on WhatsApp

The Archdiocese has launched an official WhatsApp Channel — a new and convenient way to stay informed and connected with the life of our Archdiocese.

Through this channel, you’ll receive updates on news and events directly to your mobile. It’s a simple, reliable, and secure way to keep in touch with what’s happening in the Archdiocese.

Join the channel here.

We invite all clergy, religious, parishioners, and friends of the Archdiocese to subscribe and stay connected with us as we continue to share the Good News.

Register for the Diploma in Catechetics 2026

Register now for the Diploma in Catechetics 2026 to embark on a rich, ordered exploration of the Catholic faith.

The Diploma is a thirty-six session course, consisting of weekly online lectures, guided reading from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and regular one-to-one support.

Its aim is to help you renew or initiate your understanding of the Catholic faith and, through Jesus Christ, share more deeply in the life of God.

God is present to us all in 2026. Let us receive this gift more fully, starting now!

Need to know

Testimonials

Here's what students have said about the 2025 course:

"The presentations have been invaluable, they have helped me to develop an understanding on many areas, in particular how to and where to access specifics needed along our own faith journey. Thank you for designing and making this Diploma available." - Maria B, New Plymouth, New Zealand

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"This online course has been an excellent experience, combining clear structure with engaging content. I’ve genuinely valued the opportunity to deepen the understanding of my faith in such an accessible format." - Marco P, Aberdeen

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"I have learned so much. Signing up is one of the best decisions I have made ." - Melissa M, Glasgow

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"I have been raised within the Catholic Church and thought I knew it all. I realised, however, that I was "living in a dimmed room" and this diploma slowly turned on the light. The course and the resources provided have shown me how I am part of the story of Salvation and what can be more exciting than knowing how we fit into the greatest story ever told." - Clayton M, Tullibody

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"I have enjoyed doing the 2025 diploma course very much. It’s been an extremely interesting and informative course with different speakers each week. Each speaker was excellent and knew their subject and put in a lot of effort and time to make their talks as informative as possible. [...] an excellent course and well worth doing it" - Sandy C, Burntisland

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"This very well structured course deepened my knowledge of the Catechism and helped to grow my personal faith." - Marianne S, Falkirk

Questions? Email SrMiriam.Ruth@staned.org.uk. Register at bit.ly/diploma2026 (100 spaces available).

Archbishop witnesses history in Rome

On Thursday King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV stood together in prayer at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

It's a first for the formal leaders of the Church of England and the Catholic Church since the Reformation.

The prayer service featured choirs from Anglican and Catholic traditions joining together and Latin and English interwoven in the service.

Archbishop Cushley was there to represent the Catholic Church in Scotland.

He said: “It was a great privilege to witness history being made after all these centuries.

"It shows how much we treasure in common, demonstrated by something so simple as standing shoulder to shoulder and saying the Lord’s prayer.”

Also present was Cardinal Vincent Nichols, representing Catholics in England and Wales.

The event also carried significant ceremonial aspects: King Charles received the title of “Royal Confrater” at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, and Pope Leo in turn was honored with a title at Windsor, further symbolising the growing ties between the two Christian communities.

Pope Leo and Archbishop Leo met later that same day at an event for Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (top right).

King Charles also visited the Pontifical Beda College in Rome.

Archdiocesan seminarians, incuding Gerard Holden (third from right in row, wearing cassock) witnessed the event.

SUNDAY: Support the Mercy Centre

This year's Day for the Poor collection is scheduled for Sunday 9 November with all funds going to St Catharine's Mercy Centre in Lauriston, Edinburgh.

The centre is run by the Sisters of Mercy and offers meals, toilet facilities, advice on welfare and a place of refuge and calm.

Sr Aelred Timmins RSM said: "In Edinburgh there are so many homeless people on the streets.

"They come here every day for food, sometimes for sleeping bags, most of all they're looking for friendship and a listening ear.

"We are a Mercy Centre and we welcome everybody in. Our whole charism is 'response to need'.

"Please keep us in your prayers, and we really are very grateful to anybody who is able to support the works of mercy in this house."

Sr Aelred and the Sisters of Mercy established  the Homeless Project at St Catharine's Mercy Centre in Lauriston Gardens in 1993 and it can help up to 200 people each day.

Parishes have been asked to hold a special collection at Mass on Weekend of 8/9 November (or nearest suitable date). To donate online please tap here.

GALLERY: Dana & Friends at St Mary's Cathedral

The Dana & Friends event at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, took place on Friday and featured stirring music and testimony.

It featured the legendary Irish Eurovision singer who talked about her faith in the midst of a million selling pop music career.

Former BBC correspondent Martina Purdy, and former barrister Elaine Kelly spoke movingly about their journeys from top flight careers into the religious life, and about how their deep trust in God has helped them to navigate the unexpected events that have followed.

Dana was accompanied by the Cathedral’s Schola Cantorum, with Director of Music Michael Ferguson at the piano.

He said: "It was a truly Spirit-filled evening, and one that will be remembered at St Mary’s Cathedral and beyond for a long time to come!"

 

 

 

Archbishop Leo: take part in Mission Sunday

World Day of Prayer for the Missions (Mission Sunday) is this weekend (19 October) and the theme is Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples.

Archbishop Cushley asks us to keep the missionary church in our prayers and do what we can to support the work of Missio Scotland.

He previously said: "Supporting Missio is doing what the Lord asks us to do.

"We see it at the end of the synoptic gospels where the Lord sends out his apostles and disciples - and that means you and me by extension.

"There is a part of all of us that ought to have a missionary spirit, and we ought to have, somewhere deep down, a missionary heart."

Bolivia is the focus country for projects being supported by Missio Scotland this year.

Missio established links with the country thanks to Fr Dominic Quinn, who spent a few years on mission there and helped the charity establish links.

A special collection will take place at Mass for the work of the propagation of the faith on the weekend of 18/19 October, with all money going directly to Missio Scotland. Donate online here. Archbishop Cushley is Bishop President of Missio Scotland.You can read Pope Francis' message for World Mission Sunday here.