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.

Renewal of Priestly Ministry

Written by: Alex Walker

The major resource here is the picture book in PDF of one of Lobinger's handbooks - I'd recommend you start with the introduction to that. The other files are ones that I've collected for my own interest led by the International Network of Priest's Associations and Reform Groups. The Orobator review is because there's a great book edited by this Jesuit called 'The Church We Want' - a collection of African theologians writing about Vatican ll.  Around p200 there's interesting references to Lobinger - and throughout the book the various proposals for the future of the church are really relevant and useful. All the files above have extra references that you might want to follow up. The National Catholic Reporter website has a couple more articles if you put Lobinger into the search on the front page. See the Tablet archive too.

 

The main recommendation I have is for the book David McLoughlin uses teaching in Newman University called The Church with a Human Faceby Edward Schillebeecks, which led me to Thomas O'Loughlin's book Eucharist -  enormously useful in thinking freshly about both Eucharist and Priesthood. Tom is ACTA's Theological Consultant - as well as current President of the Catholic Theological Association.   Having read books like that, when you go into Lobinger's Like His Brothers and Sisters - everything falls into place! It all seems such an obviously sensible solution to some of the current and future problems we have in our church. Lobinger's sensitivity to how and why his proposals will be opposed, and how to implement them nevertheless,  is practical and magnanimous. 

I'm sure there must be other ways of thinking about these issues- I'm only sharing my own rather randomly discovered pathway of reading. As you might know, I'm not a theologian.  I'd be delighted to hear of alternative/better ideas. 

Tony Flannery didn't leave a text. Tony got me involved with the International Network and it was through them that I first heard of Bishop Lobinger.

I hope lots of you will experience the enrichment I found in this line of study - and will feel you want to share it widely! Thank you for your interest.

Jean Riordan

LOBINGER - Ordination of Proven Local Leaders

Lobinger - Schenk in NCR August 2016

Lobinger - synopsis, selection of quotes from LIke His brothers & Sisters

LOBINGER extra refs

Lobinger from ACP WEBSITE Oct 16 2017

Lobinger- Orobator's book reviewed The Church We Want

Ordain locaL LEADERS