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.
In the year 2000, I retired from being an internal consultant in the Ford Motor Company Process Leadership Office.
I have substantial and long-term experience in working with groups on complexity.
For some years I gave an annual lecture at the City University School of Management that attracted a large crowd of students.
When working with groups on complex situations I use the most powerful method I have found:
Structured Dialogic Design (SDD) (a)
Since 1995 I have run some 160 workshops for about 1,500 participants. Ninety-five workshops have been in Industry and Commerce, and sixty-five in the Social Arena.
SDD is the best method I know for dealing with the most troublesome situations that one might ever encounter.”
I am active in my local church and community, and use Structured Dialogic Design (SDD) in resolving difficulties and doing strategic planning with those groups