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.

Gaza this October

Written by: Chris McDonnell

Hour by hour
countless
munitions fall
in an exchange
of fearsome fire.

 

Smoke erupts
from shattered
Buildings hanging
through the orange
glow of flame.

 

This narrow strip
of sea-edged land
littered streets
torn metal, broken
brick, shattered

 

tiles, lifeless forms.
Costly retribution for
a savage act, lost
lives, wailing cries
and threat of siege.

 

This land of youth
broken piece by piece.
Christ-caught in the
shadow of the cross.
A gale of destruction

 

sweeps the land
leaving a trail of
hollow hope amid
fading distant dreams
and worn-out words.

 

What next? and when