Luisa Campbell is new General Secretary

Luisa Campbell will be the first member of the lay faithful and first woman to take on the role of General Secretary of The Bishop's Conference of Scotland (BCOS).

She begins the role in February 2026, when Fr Gerry Maguiness completes his second term of office.

The General Secretary supports the work of the Bishops’ Conference by coordinating its offices, facilitating communication, and overseeing the administration of national initiatives and policies.

Bishop Keenan, President of BCOS, said, "Luisa brings a wealth of experience both as a committed laywoman in the Church who has served our parishes and dioceses loyally over the years and who also has vast experience of life in the world and where she has made a fruitful contribution.

"We look forward to working with her in the service of the Church in Scotland in the years ahead.".

Luisa has been actively involved in the life of the Church in Scotland at both parish and diocesan level in the areas of youth work, parish administration, liturgy, evangelisation, RCIA and finance.

After gaining Master’s degrees in both Engineering and Business Administration, she worked for almost forty years in industry, ultimately as chief executive of a Scottish business which she led for over two decades.

Her roles involved leadership, governance, strategy, commercial finance, mergers and acquisitions and organisational development.

During that time, she also acted as a trustee of several charities, served as a non-executive director and as trustee of a large pension scheme.

Luisa grew up in the diocese of Galloway and has lived in both the archdiocese of Glasgow and the diocese of Aberdeen. Her work has taken her to every diocese in Scotland.

Luisa retired early from work in 2020 to pursue her passion for voluntary work in the Catholic Church.

Luisa said: "I look forward to serving the Bishops of Scotland in my new role as General Secretary, bringing together my experience in the Church and in the world of business.’

A statement from BCOS said: "The Bishops of Scotland would like to take the opportunity of commending and thanking Fr Gerry Maguiness for his wise, effective and tireless stewardship of the General Secretariat over the past six years.

"We wish him similar blessings as he takes up the office of parish priest of St Bride’s in Cambuslang."

St Patrick's awarded £37k repairs grant

Urgent repairs to an historical city centre church can now be carried out thanks to a grant of £37,500 from the National Churches Trust.

St Patrick's in The Cowgate was awarded the amount after discovery of an unstable church wall and water penetratation, putting valuable heritage items at risk.

Fr Gerard Hatton, parish administrator, said: "We are deeply grateful for this vital support from the Pilgrim Trust and the National Churches Trust.

"The grant will help us repair the Memorial Room and the foundational East Wall.

“The Church is not only a sacred space but also home to the tomb of Venerable Margaret Sinclair and is visited by pilgrims across the world."

St Patrick's is not just an important local church, but one of national significance.

He added: "These much-needed structural repairs will help us secure the fabric of the building, preserve its rich history and can ensure as good custodians that our parishioners, pilgrims, and visitors from near and far continue to have a place of refuge, contemplation and solace for generations to come."

The Memorial Room was erected in 1921 in memory of the over 300 parishioners who died in the First World War.

It is a community space hosting a mother and toddler group, choir and organ practice, finance and debt advice meetings, and more.

Anne-Marie O’Hara, Scotland Support Officer at the National Churches Trust, said: “St Patrick's is not just an important local church, but one of national significance.

"Once the repairs have taken place, the church will be an even more welcoming space for the community to enjoy.

"We look forward to continuing to support St Patrick’s – and other churches, chapels and meeting houses and cathedrals across Scotland – to help keep them open and in good repair, now and in the future.”

The church shared in a £1 million pound urgent pay out from the National Churches Trust, designed to keep UK churches open and in use.

Find out more about the National Churches Trust here.

Archbishop leads talks on family life in Rome

Archbishop Cushley was in Rome this week to lead discussions on the importance of the Christian vision of family life.

He opened the meeting of the European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE) Commission for Family and Life by highlighting how the Church’s teaching is more relevant than ever for Europe.

He encouraged participants to share experiences and best practices for strengthening families as the heart of Christian life and a sign of hope for the future of the continent.

Archbishop Cushley is founding President of the commission and the theme of this year's meeting was 'The Christian Family: The Hope of Europe'.

The meeting included bishops and national directors for Family & Life from the 39 Bishops' Conferences across the continent.

It included moments of prayer and pilgrimage as they passed through the Holy Doors of St Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

The meeting involved Fr Nick Welsh, a priest of our Archdiocese who serves as Secretary of the Commission (as well as vice rector of the Scots College in Rome), and David Topping, who grew up in Edinburgh, and now serves as assistant to the Commission (above, holding Crucifix).

David said: "It's a chance for national directors from all the European countries to come together, share ideas and good practices, to tell us what's going on in their own countries with regards to family and life.

"That includes both hopes and challenges. The commission is important because there are a lot of challenges facing families in the current culture.

"Archbishop Cushley led the discussion and delegates got good ideas and inspiration to take back and implement in their own bishops' conferences."

In the Catholic Church, CCEE stands for the Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe.

It is a body that brings together the presidents of all the bishops’ conferences across Europe. The CCEE’s purpose is to promote collaboration among European bishops, support the Church’s mission across the continent, and foster communion with the Holy See.

Next week, from 19-21 November, The Gillis Centre in Edinburgh hosts a meeting of the Legal Advisors of the European Bishops' Conferences.

Assisted Suicide: MSPs reject more Safeguards

A raft of amendments that would have strengthened safeguards in proposed assisted dying legislation have been rejected.

Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill  is being subjected to further scrutiny in Parliament, including proposed amendments by MSPs.

The latest session, held on Tuesday, followed last week’s debate where MSPs rejected measures to narrow the definition of terminal illness to those with six months or less to live and to exclude individuals seeking assisted suicide due to intellectual disabilities or eating disorders.

Liam McArthur’s amendment, obliging doctors who oppose assisted suicide to refer patients to a willing practitioner or provide information on the process—effectively mandating limited participation, was approved by the committee.

During the debate, Sue Webber highlighted evidence from other jurisdictions showing that assisted suicide drugs are not always painless, citing cases of vomiting, choking, fluid in the lungs, and failed deaths. “Even when we’re legislating for death, Parliament still bears responsibility for life,” she said.

Anthony Horan, of the Catholic Parliamentary Office, said: “Instead of beefing up this Bill with safeguards and tightening key provisions, the committee appears to be doing everything in its power to make the Bill unsafe and a significant risk to vulnerable people.

“Liam McArthur’s insistence that there should be no institutional opt-out will be particularly alarming for hospices and care homes that do not wish to participate in assisted suicide.

"It could mean that, should this law pass, those hospices and care homes will lose vital funding and be forced to close.

“MSPs have a duty to protect the vulnerable and the institutions that care for them.

"With each rejected safeguard it is becoming increasingly clear that MSPs are failing in that duty.”

Contact your MSP now - it only takes a minute using the Care not Killing email tool here. This article abridged from the Catholic Parliamentary Office. Watch our webinars on this issue here. Title images via Right to Life.

Sculptor's iconic Homeless Jesus at Cathedral

People are being encouraged to sit and pray next to the iconic Homeless Jesus sculpture at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh.

The famous statue has been placed in locations worldwide and is based on Jesus' words in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

It is hoped that the statue depicting Jesus Christ sleeping rough on a park bench will focus attention on homelessness in Edinburgh and remind Christians of their duty of care to homeless people in the city.

Sculptor Timothy Schmalz said: "Back when I was working on the clay I was sitting near the feet and I thought to myself ‘this is the closest I've ever been to a homeless person and it's a sculpture!’

"I thought, I'm going to have to leave this space here to welcome people to sit down.”

He added: “If you're homeless, one of the first things you lose is your sense of self worth.

“This sculpture symbolically reclaims it in a sense by saying that, if Jesus came down today he would hang out with you not the politicians and not the billionaires."

The Cathedral was approached by Timothy last year about installing the sculpture and it was placed outside the Cathedral on 3 September after planning permission was granted by the city council.

Monsignor Jeremy Milne, Cathedral Administrator, said: "We are so pleased to have this extraordinary sculpture outside the Cathedral.

"It is a powerful reminder of the Gospel imperative to serve Christ in the poor, the hungry, the sick and the homeless.

“Homeless Jesus is an eye-catching piece of art which invites people to pause and reflect, and we've seen many people do just that."

A plaque next to the sculpture reads “This statue by Timothy Schmalz is inspired by Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40: Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

"The figure of Christ, resting on a bench, invites us to see Him in those who are homeless, hungry, or forgotten.

"As you stop here at St Mary’s Cathedral, may this image stir compassion, and remind us that every act of kindness to those in need is an act of love for Christ himself.”

 

Summary of Bishops' Conference meeting

Here is a  summary of the Plenary Meeting of the Bishops' Conference of Scotland, which met at the Conforti Centre in Coatbridge 3-5 November 2025.

- One of the focal points of the meeting was the launch of the new office for Communications and Evangelisation that will be led by Bishop Dougan with assistance from Fr Michael Kane and Elaine Furmage of Being Catholic. The goal of the new office is to incorporate Being Catholic as an arm of the Bishops’ Conference and to tell the good news stories of the Church in Scotland.

- Rectors from both the Pontifical Scots College Rome and the Royal Scots College in Salamanca gave their annual reports. Seminary formation was also discussed - students now complete both a pastoral year and a diaconate year mainly in Scotland in addition to academic studies in Salamanca and Rome.

- Bishop Gilbert, recently re-elected as chair of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy, ICEL, outlined the new translation for the Rite of Infant Baptism.< - The Scottish Catholic Education Service, SCES, reported on the numerous events both at national and local level that have taken place in schools especially the pilgrimage of newly qualified teachers to Rome and their encounter with Pope Leo. The input of SCES for the review of the national curriculum was highlighted. - Anthony Horan of the Catholic Parliamentary Office focused his report on the proposed anti-life legislation that attacks both the sick and elderly in assisted suicide, and the unborn with the radical proposal to decriminalise abortion.

- The signed St Ninian Declaration of Friendship with the Scottish Episcopal Church was presented by Archbishop Cushley

- The BCOS Inter-religious officer spoke about a recent effort to engage with High schools especially St Roch’s and Holyrood High schools, both of which have pupils from many cultural backgrounds and faiths.

- Aid to the Church in Need visited the Conference, represented by William More who spoke about the conference held in Glasgow last February showcasing Catholic agencies and Catholic identity in Scotland today. He also asked the Bishops to support Red Wednesday later this month.< - Care of Creation reported on a very successful Season of Creation Conference in September, the Care of Creation Schools competition, this year won by St Columba’s Cupar, and the Mass to be celebrated on Mon 10th Nov for the success of COP30 in Belem, Brazil. - The Conference welcomed Lady Rae and Paul Donaldson of the SCSSA who engaged the Bishops with the review of last year’s national safeguarding audit and also looked forward to the National Safeguarding Conference to be held at Strathclyde University on the 8 November.

- Also welcomed to the meeting was Lorraine Currie, Director of SCIAF who expressed great satisfaction with the campaigns and events that have celebrated the 60th anniversary of the founding of our overseas aid agency.

Other matters discussed were:

Stella Maris (chaplaincy to seafarers), marriage annulment processes; The request by lay faithful to promote the cause of Joe Wilson, a teenager who died tragically in Motherwell Diocese, an update on the worj undertaken by Justice & Peace Scotland

Bishop Keenan, Bishop President of the Conference, thanked all participants at the plenary and commended them for their work on behalf of the Catholic Church in Scotland.

Bishops: pray for the persecuted Church

Scotland's Catholic Bishops invite you to pray for the persecuted church on Red Wednesday (19 Novmber).

Cathedrals across Scotland will celebrate Mass on the day, and it will take place in our Archdiocese at 7:00pm in St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh.

The bishops recorded a video message to highlight the need for prayer and practical action to support Aid to the Church in Need, which helps the persecuted and suffering Church across the world.

Video message transcript

Bishop Joseph Toal (Motherwell): "My dear brothers and sisters this Red Wednesday Our Scottish cathedrals will celebrate mass for our persecuted brothers and sisters across the world."

Archbishop Bill Nolan (Glasgow): "Red Wednesday is the global awareness day for Aid to the Church in Need, who help millions of Christians every year who suffer persecution, discrimination and even violence simply because of their faith in Jesus Christ."

Bishop Andrew McKenzie (Dunkeld): "Did you know that 80 per cent of all religious persecution in the world is directed against Christians? This is a hidden crisis of our time, one that has too often ignored in our western culture."

Bishop Brian McGee (Argyll & the Isles): "Yet for countless families and communities across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and beyond, the cost of following Christ is immense."

Archbishop Leo Cushley (St Andrews & Edinburgh): "This initiative by Aid to the Church in Need, Pope Leo’s charity for the persecuted and suffering church, is growing in Scotland, but we can’t do it without you."

Bishop John Keenan (Paisley): "This year I invite you to join us for the Red Wednesday Mass in our Cathedrals. We will pray for our brothers and sisters who risk everything even to attend Mass and receive the sacraments, and  to pass on the faith to their children."

Bishop Frank Dougan (Galloway): "Their courage and witness is a reminder to us all that our faith is not just something that should be hidden but it's something that we should defend and shine brightly before others for the glory of God."

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.

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.