Luisa Campbell has been appointed as the first layperson and first woman to serve as General Secretary of Scotland's Bishops' Conference. Campbell brings extensive experience from her 40-year career in industry, including leadership, governance, and financial roles. She has been actively involved in the Catholic Church in Scotland at both parish and diocesan levels, focusing on youth work, administration, and evangelization. Bishop John Keenan of Paisley expressed delight at Campbell's appointment, highlighting her experience in both the Church and the business world. The Bishops of Scotland also acknowledged and thanked Fr Gerry Maguiness for his service as General Secretary.
22 days ago
Scotland’s Bishops’ Conference has appointed Luisa Campbell as its first female and lay General Secretary, effective February 2026.1 This marks a significant milestone in the Church's leadership structure in Scotland.
Campbell, originally from the Diocese of Galloway, has resided in the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the Diocese of Aberdeen.1 She holds master's degrees in engineering and business administration, with nearly 40 years in industry, including over two decades as CEO of a Scottish business focused on leadership, governance, strategy, finance, mergers, and organizational development.1
She also served as a trustee for charities, a non-executive director, and a pension scheme trustee.1 In parallel, Campbell engaged deeply in Church life at parish and diocesan levels, contributing to youth work, administration, liturgy, evangelization, RCIA, and finance.1 She retired early in 2020 to prioritize voluntary Church service.1
The appointment follows the tenure of Fr. Gerry Maguiness, who served as General Secretary for six years.1 The bishops expressed gratitude for his "wise, effective, and tireless" stewardship and noted his new role as parish priest at St. Bride’s in Cambuslang.1
Campbell expressed enthusiasm for the role, stating she looks forward to serving the bishops by integrating her Church and business experiences.1 Bishop John Keenan of Paisley, Conference President, welcomed her, highlighting her loyalty as a laywoman and her worldly contributions, and anticipated fruitful collaboration for the Scottish Church.1
First laywoman leads Scottish Bishops’ Conference
The appointment of the first laywoman to lead the Scottish Bishops’ Conference marks a notable development in the governance and administration of the Catholic Church in Scotland, reflecting broader trends toward greater lay involvement in ecclesial structures. While the exact details of this leadership role—whether as general secretary, administrative head, or another capacity—are not specified in available Catholic sources, this event underscores the Church's ongoing commitment to fostering active participation by the laity, particularly women, in the mission of evangelization and pastoral care. Drawing from papal addresses to the Scottish bishops, this analysis explores how such a milestone aligns with Catholic teachings on the role of the laity, the importance of collaboration between clergy and lay faithful, and the historical context of the Church in Scotland.
The Catholic Church in Scotland has navigated a complex history marked by division, renewal, and ecumenical efforts, as highlighted in addresses from Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. These speeches, delivered during ad limina visits and pastoral encounters, emphasize the bishops' primary responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel and guiding the faithful. For instance, in 1982, Pope John Paul II urged Scottish bishops to lead all categories of people—young and old, families, and religious—to Christ, portraying the episcopal role as central to evangelization. This underscores that while bishops hold sacramental and doctrinal authority, the Church's mission extends beyond them, requiring the collaboration of the entire community.
By 1987, the Pope reiterated the need for bishops to promote renewal through sacramental life and lay participation, noting the Church's response to Vatican II's call for purification and unity. He praised initiatives like the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) and the sending of lay missionaries, illustrating how laypeople already contribute to the Church's global and local witness. These elements suggest a framework where administrative leadership, even if held by a laywoman, supports rather than supplants episcopal governance, aligning with the collegial spirit among bishops "in union with Peter."
Catholic teaching consistently affirms the laity's vital role in the Church's life and mission, a theme woven throughout the provided sources. Pope Benedict XVI, in his 2010 address, commended the Scottish Church for overcoming historical divisions and sectarianism, encouraging bishops to prepare a "well-informed Catholic laity, able and willing to carry out its mission 'by engaging in temporal affairs and by ordering them according to the plan of God.'" This echoes the post-Vatican II document Christifideles Laici, which envisions laypeople as active agents in society, including in ecclesial administration. A laywoman leading aspects of the Bishops’ Conference could exemplify this, bringing fresh perspectives to areas like education, social justice, and media engagement—fields where the Pope urged stronger Catholic presence.
Earlier, in 1997, Pope John Paul II stressed the need for priests and religious to collaborate with lay faithful, while calling for initiatives to strengthen priestly identity and vocations. Implicit here is the recognition that lay leadership can complement clerical efforts, especially in promoting evangelization for the Third Millennium. The appointment of a laywoman thus fits into the Church's encouragement of diverse talents for building "Christian communities centred on the saving presence of the Risen Lord." Moreover, Benedict XVI's 2010 homily at Bellahouston Park specifically tasked bishops with caring for priests and deacons while fostering a priesthood that inspires lay dedication to God. Extending this, lay administrative roles can enhance the bishops' pastoral leadership by handling operational aspects, allowing clergy to focus on spiritual guidance.
The involvement of women in Church leadership has deep roots in Scottish Catholic history, as seen in references to Saint Margaret of Scotland, invoked as a model of service to the needy. In 1987, Pope John Paul II cited her example to affirm that care for the poor and vulnerable is done "for Christ himself," linking it to family life and youth formation., A laywoman's leadership role could amplify this legacy, particularly in addressing modern challenges like unemployment, drug rehabilitation, and family tensions—issues the Pope highlighted as deserving continued Church attention.
Furthermore, the sources emphasize Catholic education as a cornerstone for lay formation. The 1918 Scottish Education Act, praised in 1982 and 1987, integrates Catholic schools into the state system while safeguarding religious education., Benedict XVI in 2010 lauded these schools for combating sectarianism and building social cohesion, urging emphasis on religious education to equip laypeople for public life. A female leader in the Bishops’ Conference might strengthen these efforts, especially in promoting women's roles in catechesis, youth programs like the Scout and Guide Movement, and ecumenical dialogues through bodies like Action of Churches Together in Scotland.
While the sources celebrate progress in ecumenism and lay involvement, they also acknowledge ongoing challenges, such as historical ruptures and societal changes. Pope John Paul II in 1982 envisioned his visit as a "new beginning" for evangelization, calling bishops to offer Christ to every group amid Scotland's social shifts., Benedict XVI echoed this in 2010, urging resistance to diluting the Christian message while pursuing full unity. In this context, a laywoman's leadership could bridge divides, fostering the "beacons of faith and holiness" likened to the monks of Iona. However, it also raises questions about balancing lay input with episcopal authority, a nuance addressed in calls for collegiality and spiritual renewal.,
The provided sources do not directly reference this specific appointment, as they predate recent developments and focus on papal exhortations rather than administrative changes. They remain relevant by illustrating the Church's consistent promotion of lay collaboration, which provides a theological foundation for such innovations without contradicting hierarchical structures.
In conclusion, the first laywoman leading the Scottish Bishops’ Conference represents an evolution in lay engagement, harmonious with Catholic teachings on communal mission and renewal. It invites the faithful to deeper participation, echoing the Popes' visions of a vibrant Church in Scotland that proclaims Christ amid contemporary needs. May this step strengthen evangelization, ecumenism, and service to all, under the intercession of Our Lady, Saint Andrew, and Saint Margaret.,