ACTA - A Call To Action

Latest News

Latest Documents

	Synod National Synthesis England & Wales
	ACTA 2021 Final Accounts & IE Report
	ACTA Trustees Minutes 11th May 2022
	NJPN Conference Booking form 31 May
	Notes of Plymouth Meeting
	Ways of seeing

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.

Leadership Team 2020 - 2021

TRUSTEES

Frank Callus - Chair

Andrew Hornsby-Smith - Minutes Secretary

Ken Holden - Treasurer

Joseph O'Hanlon - Theology Adviser

Jo Fenton - Legal Adviser

Alex Walker - Web Manager; Membership Sec., Data Controller

NON-TRUSTEES

Kathy Bamber

David Blower

Jordan Pullicino

Diocesan Coordinators

Contact Here >>> Coordinators

Two Lost Voices

: Written by Chris McDonnell; Published: 27 January 2022

Jim Forest November 1941 – January 2022

Thich Nhat Hanh October 1926 – January 2022

Two lost voices

Chris McDonnell January 28. 2022

Within a few days of each other two resonant voices have been lost, the Christian writer Jim Forest and the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh.

I first met Jim through a second-hand bookshop in Brighton.

Running back to the car late on a Saturday afternoon in a bitter cold January dusk, I came to the bookshop. Opening the door, I called out to the owner “Have you any books about the American monk, Thomas Merton?” His hand went to the bottom of a stack of books on a nearby table and pulled out a book. “Will this do?”

Seeking together a new way of being Church

: Written by Andrew Hornsby-Smith; Published: 18 January 2022

Seeking together a new way of being Church - 24^th January 7.30 p.m.

Invitation to an online discussion

For the Zoom link please email: Andrew Hornsby-Smith

The Synodal Process - Joint Approach

: Written by Frank Callus; Published: 17 January 2022

ACTA is working with Root & Branch and NJPN to support the synodal process. We recognise the good work being done to encourage people to participate in this work, much of it emanating from parishes.

We recognise, too, that there are many who are no longer participating in parish activities, whose voice needs to be heard.

In the Archdiocese of Cardiff the three groups have come together to support an evening when we can discuss such issues.

The event on the evening of Tuesday 8th February is being run with the support of the Diocesan Synod Coordinator.

If you reside in the area of the Archdiocese of Cardiff [ S E Wales and Herefordshire] you would be most welcome to join us

Contact fbcallus@aol.com for more information.

Download: What do YOU think of the Catholic Church

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A NEW HOLY FAMILY, A FAMILY FOR OUR TIMES

: Written by Joseph O’Hanlon; Published: 29 December 2021

A new parish has been established in Nottingham, an amalgamation of three former parishes, and it has the named the Parish of the Holy Family. In these dark days no joyful day of celebration Sunday is possible, no happy proclamation of the birth of a new configuration of Catholic presence in the northeast of our city. We can only hope and pray that soon we can all join with the parishioners of the new Holy Family Parish.

A strong voice in turbulent times

: Written by Chris McDonnell; Published: 18 December 2021

Download: DON COZZENS Remembered
Donald Cozzens
17 May 1939-9 December 2021
Chris McDonnell La Croix December 2021

We heard this week of the passing of the American priest, teacher and writer, Donald Cozzens. His journey came to a conclusion, a few days back, on December 9th. His has been a significant voice in recent years, always faithful to the Church that was his home yet critical of structures that got in the way of mission. He called out clericalism in no uncertain terms, seeking a more honest vision of priesthood that served the pastoral needs of the people.