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.

Werner Jeanrond is coming to Birmingham

Written by: Alex Walker

Internationally famous theologian Werner Jeanrond is coming to Birmingham to speak to ACTA on November 11th. He's giving us a whole day of his valuable time.

 

He will be at Newman House, the Birmingham University's Catholic Chaplaincy on Harrison's Road in Edgbaston, B15 3QR. Open for coffee 10.30, first talk at 11.00. End at 4pm.
 
There's plenty of free parking, both in their car park and on roads close by. There are bus and train options too that you can find online. The Chaplaincy is a couple of miles from New Street Station.
 
In the morning Werner will be speaking about the on-going evolution of the Church, and the afternoon session will address the changes that will inevitably happen to the role of the laity. He is currently working on a book entitled reasons for hope.  After he spoke at our London Conference we certainly left feeling inspired and hopeful.
 
We are not charging for the event as he is kindly not charging us, but we will pay Werner's train fare from Oxford and paying £20 per hour for use of the building, so we would appreciate some donations if possible.
 
Please bring a packed lunch. We'll provide tea and coffee on arrival and during the day. You're very welcome to bring any interested family or friends - they don't have to be ACTA members - or Catholics!
 
If you want to see how interesting he is, you could watch a television interview he gave (in English) about the Church, on You tube -here's the link-