The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has confirmed the approval by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland for the new Lectionary.

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The Lectionary, which includes the scripture readings for Mass and the sacraments, will come into use in Catholic parishes in Scotland from Advent 2024, the beginning of the Holy Year.

Commenting on the news, Bishop Keenan said, "The Scottish bishops, in collaboration with the bishops of England and Wales, have chosen the English Standard Version Catholic Edition (ESVCE) to ensure that ‘the treasures of the Bible can be opened up more lavishly for the faithful at the table of God’s word.’ (Sacrosanctum Concilium 51).

"We hope it will provide our people with an up to date and faithful version of the Lectionary  for years to come so that, Sunday by Sunday, they can hear with fresh ears and heart the Lord Himself speaking to them in His Word."

Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery, writing to the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, noted, "The collaboration of the Episcopal Conference with the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is [a] notable feature of this project which highlights the importance of different episcopal conferences within a small geographical area working together for the overall good of the Catholic population in the British Isles.  

“What has now been achieved ensures that a stable version of the Lectionary will endure in Great Britain for years to come. Both Conferences are to be commended for this cooperation.” 

On how the people of God will be prepared for the introduction of the new Lectionary, Bishop Keenan added, "The bishops hope to prepare our parishes and communities in the months and weeks leading up to its introduction with catechesis on the Word of GOD and its central place in Christian life and worship."