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.

A Well-earned rest !

Written by: Jean Riordan
Our Scripture scholar, Prof. Dr Joseph O'Hanlon is having a well-earned rest this August, just for weeks 19 and 20, resuming his commentaries on the 21st Sunday. This is an opportune moment to express our deep appreciation of the blessing we are given, when one of our priest members not only works for ACTA on the National Leadership Team but also gives us this amazing gift - sharing his insights into the scriptures that he's amassed from decades of world-class scholarship that began at the Biblicum in Rome in the '60's. Joseph had been in ACTA for years in Kent, where he was the Director of the International Franciscan Study Centre . He phoned me before the  National conference in Birmingham to say how sorry he was to miss the conference. Following our conversation I read all his books - my special favourites are The Jesus who was The Jesus who is. and Mark my Words - and I was hugely impressed. I approached Joseph to see if he'd consider writing a few essays on scripture for the ACTA website, with no idea that he would extend the task with such energy and on such a scale - it's the full 3 year cycle he's aiming at. All of us in ACTA owe Joseph a huge debt of gratitude for his profound contribution to our spiritual life. Thank you, Joseph! 
Jean Riordan.