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.

Stations of the Cross

Written by: Chris McDonnell

The Stations of the Cross from St. James Cathedral, Seattle on Vimeo.

The Seattle iconographer Joan Brand-Landkamer has captured in these painted, drift wood Stations the passion of Christ. The Stations of the Cross come from the St James Cathedral website with the text written by Paul Claudel, read by the cathedral pastor Fr Michael Ryan. 

Download: MARCH 19 A Passover Journey

For the Good of the Church

Book Launch - Gabrielle Thomas - experiences of women in the church

Written by: Alex Walker

The Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham, warmly invite you to the online launch of Gabrielle Thomas’s new book For the Good of the Church: Unity, Theology, and Women, taking place at 5.30pm GMT (12.30pm EST) on Monday 8 March (International Women’s Day 2021). Author Gabrielle Thomas (now Lecturer at Yale Divinity School; former post-doctoral researcher here at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University) will be joined by:

  • Paula Gooder (Writer and Lecturer on Biblical Studies and Chancellor of St Paul’s Cathedral, London)
  • Tine Beattie (Professor Emerita of Catholic Studies and Director of Catherine of Siena College at the University of Roehampton, London)
  • Paul D. Murray (Durham University)

The book

What do we need to learn and receive from the other to help us address challenges or wounds in our own tradition? That is the key question asked in what has come to be known as 'receptive ecumenism'. And nowhere is this question more pressing and pertinent than in women's experiences within the church.

Based on a qualitative study conducted here at the Centre for Catholic Studies, Durham University, in partnership with the National Board of Catholic Women, the book reveals how radically different theological and ecclesiological perspectives can be a space for learning and receiving gifts for the well-being of the whole church.

Registration

We do hope you will join us to hear about the book, meet new people, and help us celebrate the launch! To participate/attend, you will need Zoom details—to receive them please register at https://centreforcatholicstudies.eventbrite.com. 

A poster for the event, which includes a discount code for the book, is attached Gabrielle Thomas book launch poster – please feel free to share this email and the poster with your networks as you wish.

With best wishes,
Jane

 

Jane Lidstone

Administrative Assistant

Durham University

Centre for Catholic Studies

Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, Palace Green, Durham, DH1 3RS United Kingdom

 

E: ccs.admin@durham.ac.uk

A New Imagination of the Possible:  An Update on the Covid 19 Commission 

Written by: Frank Callus

 

Wednesday 3rd March 2021

7.00pm 

Following on from our successful autumn Conference series: “The Post Pandemic Church- Business as Usual?” ACTA is pleased to advise that an evening presentation has been arranged for Wednesday 3rd March 2021.

 

Fr Augusto Zampini-Davies, Adjunct Secretary to the Covid 19 Commission will give an update on the work of this Commission. During the evening we will be joined by our speakers from the autumn series as they take part in a Panel Discussion.


Registration is essential. Please click here to go to the Registration page.

Bible

The English Standard Version and the Use of Inclusive Language

Written by: Frank Callus

Many members of ACTA have commented on the use of the English Standard Version and its failure to use inclusive language. 

The Scottish Laity Network have organised a petition to raise awareness of the issue with the laity and have addressed a petition on Change.org 

We have agreed to publicise the petition to our members and invite you to consider the issue as a critical one for a group that respects the equality and diversity of members of the Catholic Church. 

Details of the petition can be found at:

https://www.change.org/Inclusive-language-bible-texts-at-Mass

Root and Branch Synod

Written by: Alex Walker
In our Journey to the Synod, Sept 2021, since last October, we’ve been inviting a wide range of guests, all committed to reform in the Church, to Zoom with us. You can see all our past guests’ videos, and read up about our next ones on our website, below. Do join us if you can. It’s free of charge, and we meet every 2nd Tuesday in the month at 2pm GMT, and every 4th Sunday at 4pm GMT.
 
Zoom with Mary Jo McElroy, RSHM, on Tuesday 9th Feb, to hear about a very different way of ‘being Church.’ I believe it’s not so long since she spoke to ACTA nationally?
 
  1. What would Pope Francis do?
  2. Fr Paul Sanders - RIP
  3. Covid Creation Climate - A reflection
  4. I closed your churches!

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