ACTA - A Call To Action

MISSION statement:

We are a group of Catholics, some of whom are ordained, brought together by our love of Christ's Church and our anxiety about its future. Still inspired by the Second Vatican Council, we want to contribute fully to the life of our Church so that we may be a more effective sign of the Kingdom of God. To do this, we believe that an atmosphere of openness and dialogue both with each other and with our church leadership needs developing. Accordingly, we aim to supply channels of free and frank communication. We desire to help create a climate of trust and respect for all where this dialogue may be fostered.

THEOLOGY statement:

ACTA is a movement built from below by clergy and laity alike in every diocese in England and Wales. It exists to give those people an effective voice. It is an instrument to establish and promote space for a trusting dialogue within a hierarchically structured people’s Church.

ACTA believes that the reforms of the Second Vatican Council are the only way forward for mission to modern society. It is not a small chapel of selected followers; it believes in the Church as a “big tent”, with open doors. As a free and representative association of believers, it seeks to liberate the expertise in the ranks, so as to bring added energy and witness to the Church in the world.

Upcoming Events

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 27 May 2025

27/05/2025 Part 3: The Conversion of Processes: discernment, decision-making and accountability - with Dr Estela Padilla

28/05/2025 Part 3: ‘The Conversion of Processes’ with Dr Estela Padilla

04/06/2025 Part 2: The Conversion of Relationships: mission and ministry in a changing world.

11/06/2025 Part 4: The Conversion of Bonds The geeky week exploring Vatican Dicasteries, Episcopal Conferences, relating to other churches and religions, the role of the Pope and more

18/06/2025 Part 5: ‘Forming a People for Missionary Discipleship’ with David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul

22/06/2025 ACTA Co-ordinators Meeting

25/06/2025 Part 6 Conclusion: A Feast for All Peoples: What next for our Church?

06/07/2025 ACTA Annual General Meeting

08/07/2025 Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit Workshops

15/07/2025 Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit Workshops (2)

22/07/2025 Synodality 101: Conversations in the Spirit Workshops (3)

Pope Leo XIV - insights on the first month of his pontificate

: Written by: Root & Branch; Published: 27 May 2025

mini Foto Ufficiale Papa Leone XIV Copyright VATICAN MEDIA

As we start to gain insights into the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV we are delighted to welcome back our friend and companion Massimo Faggioli who will help us to discern what these early days are revealing.

Massimo is a professor in the department of theology and religious studies at Villanova University, the university where Pope Leo XIV earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics in 1977 and received an honorary Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, from the University in 2014.

He writes regularly for Italian and English-speaking journals and magazines on the Church, religion and politics, has a column in "La Croix International", is contributing editor for "Commonweal", and staff writer for "Il Regno". His books and articles have been published in eight languages.

You can register for the session at https://forms.gle/kjbvb26BMdKMjfS77

Pray for a new Pope!

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 08 May 2025

United in prayer

As the Cardinal electors cast their votes in the Sistine Chapel, Cardinal Re urged everyone to pray that the Holy Spirit, "who in the last hundred years has given us a series of truly holy and great Pontiffs, will give us a new Pope according to God’s heart for the good of the Church and of humanity."

“May we pray for "a Pope who knows how best to awaken the consciences of all and awaken the moral and spiritual energies in today’s society" that "tends to forget God."”

The Cardinal remarked how the world expects much from the Church in safeguarding the "fundamental human and spiritual values" that human coexistence and future generations depend upon.

“May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, intercede with her maternal intercession, so that the Holy Spirit will enlighten the minds of the Cardinal electors and help them agree on the Pope that our time needs.”