ACTA - A Call To Action

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.

Welcome Message from Archbishop Bernard Longley

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 17 October 2021

ESV - Session 3 - Lost and Found in Translation

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 12 October 2021

Fr Henry Wansborough and Fr Nicholas King SJ discuss the English Standard Version (ESV) Catholic Edition as our new Lectionary.

ESV Session 2 with Fr Joseph O'Hanlon and Arch. George Stack

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 08 October 2021

In a monumental failure of leadership, too many dioceses are failing to engage with the synodal pathway

: Written by: Frank Callus & Mary Ring; Published: 06 October 2021

Pope Francis has called on dioceses worldwide to embrace the synodal pathway. So why do so many bishops appear to be doing nothing?
Jon Bower / Alamy

In 1638 John Milton produced a pastoral elegy for a fellow student, a young clergyman, whose death prompted his criticism of the Anglican bishops of the time. He saw the young clergy as living their lives in response to the Gospel value of pastoral leadership and yet lacking the support of the episcopate. The model of the Good Shepherd was a staple of the Gospels and the comparison with those shepherds who did not know their flock and its needs was a constant in Jesus’ teaching.

Mini-Series on Synodality by Margaret Beaufort Institute

: Written by: Alex Walker; Published: 27 September 2021

PeterCoughlan The mini-series is led by Dr Peter Coughlan and will be lecture, discussion, and smaller breakout group based. The cost is only £50 for 3 afternoons 4 to 6 PM, on October 6, 13, and 20^th and all by Zoom online.