MISSION statement: Revised 2026

We are a group of Catholics, some of whom are ordained, brought together by our love of Christ’s Church and a desire to be part of the synodal renewal it needs.
 
Inspired by the legacy of the Second Vatican Council, and the call to Synodality for the Church of the third millennium, we want to contribute fully to the life of our Church so that it may be a more effective and inclusive sign of the Kingdom of God.
 
To enable this, we wish to promote listening, dialogue and receptivity within the Church, and with all people of good will, open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
 
Accordingly, we aim to facilitate opportunities to share experiences, practices and insights to discern our hopes and aims for the Church in the world today.

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.

ACTA and Synodality

Written by: Simon Napper

Dear ACTA member,

The Vatican has published a document ‘Pathways for the Implementation Phase’ which sets out a timetable for the next stage of the Synodal process through to an Ecclesial Assembly of the Church in October 2028.

As Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe notes: “’Synodality’ may sound like ugly jargon, but it is founded on a principle that is at the heart of our faith. ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them’ (Matt 18:20).” Attached is a summary of the Synodal process published by the Diocese of Salford – if you can’t access it here, you can find it on the ACTA website at: www.acalltoaction.org.uk

Given the priority given to this by both Pope Francis and Pope Leo, ACTA will be concentrating on supporting this process during the implementation phase, in three specific ways:

  • Tracking progress being made by the Church in Britain

  • Supporting local and diocesan initiatives

  • Providing resources and information about good and best practice both here in the UK and worldwide.

To do this effectively, we need your help:

  • Due to the requirements of the law (specifically GDPR) you need to tell us if you wish to continue to receive information from ACTA in the future (from the national team and more locally).

  • To this end we would like everyone who has registered to update their information by logging in. We particularly want you to let us know which diocese you are in and to assent to the GDPR rules in order to continue to receive news and information on local, national and international affairs. Please follow the video below to learn how to edit your login details.

  • To help us track progress, please tell us what is happening in your parish, deanery and diocese (even if it’s not a lot yet). We plan to produce a ‘state of the nation’ report by early May.

  • Keep checking in on the ACTA website to stay in touch with what is happening as the process moves forward.

Finally, we will have our AGM on Zoom in early June and we hope you can join and share your ideas.