Scottish Catholic Bishops Express Solidarity with Poland Following Kraków Shooting

Condolences from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland have been extended to the Catholic Church in Poland following the shooting that resulted in the death of six people and injury to several other people in the city of Krakow.

A letter was written by the Scottish bishops on 12 November 2026 to Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, who is the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, informing him that they had learned about this tragedy with “profound shock and heavy hearts.”

The statement was issued after the Scottish bishops concluded their Autumn Plenary Assembly in Coatbridge.

The shooting, which took place on 7 November in Kraków’s Main Market Square, claimed six lives, among them a Scottish citizen, as well as four Polish nationals and an Austrian lady. The shooting claimed the lives of fifteen others who sustained injuries in the process.

On behalf of the Catholic Church and its members in Scotland, the bishops expressed their profound condolences to the Polish hierarchy and the whole country which is mourning the deaths of the victims.

The bishops also remembered the families of the deceased and asked God to give them the strength to endure their mourning period. The bishops extended their sentiments to the victims of the shooting as well as to the policemen who were wounded while trying to arrest the gunman.

In the statement, the bishops emphasized the long-standing bond between Poland and Scotland since the Polish community has been part of Catholic faith in Scotland.

The bishops explained that this tragedy seemed especially personal due to the fact that there were lively Polish communities living in parishes throughout Scotland. The bishops assured that in their response to this tragedy, they prayed for the victims at the time of the Mass and also prayed for their loved ones and peace in Poland.

The letter was signed by Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Archbishop William Nolan of Glasgow, and other Catholic bishops from all over Scotland, including members of the Ukrainian and Syro-Malabar Catholic communities.

In conclusion of their letter, the bishops referred to Christ, the Prince of Peace, and prayed for the healing of Krakow and solace for all those who were affected by the tragedy.

This is an example of the Catholic Church’s attitude of prayer, compassion and solidarity transcending the borders of nations in times of tragedy and grief.