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.

The Future of Synodality - how we move forward from here

Written by: Martin Pendergast
You might like to know that myself and Janet Obeney-Williams, a Farm Street Jesuit Church Parish Council member, have been facilitating a series of Synodal Listening Gatherings over the past 3 years. We are both Synodal Representatives in our parishes. Mine is St. Joseph's, Bunhill Row, on the edge of the City of London. These have gathered people from around 15 parishes plus some religious communities in Brentwood, Southwark, and Westminster Dioceses. I attach the latest submission we sent to both the Vatican's Synod Office, from which we had a very positive response, as well as the CBCEW and the Bishops of these three Dioceses.
We have also been running a a Reading Group, using The Future of Synodality - how we move forward from here. This meets on the 4th Saturday of each month, 10.00 (refreshments) for 10.30-12.00, at the London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH. All are welcome !
 
I also attach a paper, based on our local parish experience, which I gave at the 2018 Catholic Theological Association Conference. We have been without a resident priest for 20 years but, remaining an independent parish in Islington Deanery with an active Pastoral Council and a formal Ecumenical Partnership with 3 other churches, we are canonically administered from a parish in the neighbouring City & Westminster Deanery.
Best wishes
Martin Pendergast
 
 

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