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.

Thank you to Andrew Hornsby-Smith

Written by: Jean Riordan
The Leadership Team are delighted to let you all know that after several years of trying, we have succeeded in ACTA being granted CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) status with the Charities Commission. If you are interested in the legal and administrative implications,  a good place to start is https://www.gov.uk/guidance/charity-types-how-to-choose-a-structure
from which you will see how complicated it is.  We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to Andrew Hornsby-Smith for finally pushing us through all the hoops with the Charity Commission. His many, many hours of work were built on earlier efforts by the lawyer on the Leadership Team, Jo Fenton. We are also very grateful to Jo for her hard work and expertise. At the AGM on February 29th when the new status will hopefully be ratified, Andrew will tell us about the relevant differences and benefits that this status involves and we will make this information available here on the website.

Eating Together, Becoming One

Written by: Thomas O'Loughlin

Eating Together, Becoming One: Taking Up Pope Francis's Call to Theologians

A new Book by Thomas O'Loughlin, ACTA’s national theological consultant

In November 2015, Pope Francis called on theologians to explore whether normal Catholic practice should be changed to allow Christians, belonging to other churches, to share fully at the table when they take part in a Eucharist celebrated by Catholics. Thomas O’Loughlin provides his contribution to that challenge in this volume. He argues that the various ways of thinking about what we are doing in the liturgy should lead us to see intercommunion as enhancing our participation in the mystery of the Church and the mystery we celebrate.

Thomas O’Loughlin is professor of historical theology at the University of Nottingham, UK. He uses the tools of the historian to look afresh at how we ask and answer theological problems. O’Loughlin was elected president of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain in 2016. He is the author of The Rites and Wrongs of Liturgy: Why Good Liturgy Matters and Washing Feet: Imitating the Example of Jesus in Liturgy Today, both from Liturgical Press.

Buy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eating-Together-Becoming-Thomas-OLoughlin/dp/0814684580

Holy Spirit

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A

Written by: Joseph O’Hanlon

                  

THE GOD WHO SPEAKS …

 

ACTA

LECTIONARY COMMENTARY

third sunday in ordinary time

Year A

Year of Matthew

Download: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr A

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Holy Spirit

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

Written by: Joseph O’Hanlon

             

ACTA

LECTIONARY COMMENTARY

Second sunday in ordinary time

YEAR A

YEAR OF MATTHEW

Download:  Second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

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When the mist clears: 20 – 20 Vision

Written by: Chris McDonnell

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.P4GKSPfDwaaA5nG9cQZLggHaDm&pid=Api&P=0&w=370&h=180Banksy

When the mist clears: 20 – 20 Vision

Chris McDonnell CT January 10  2020

 

Every so often we are advised to have our eyes checked at the local opticians. Our sight is precious. With good, clear sight we are often said to have 20-20 vision. This New Year matches that tag. What sort of vision have we got for the coming months of 2020? Our decorations have been put away for another year, the crib figures are put back in their box for safe keeping. The tinsel and treasures are returned to the loft. Some of you may have seen the contribution made this year by Bansky, a western Graffiti street artist. Little is known about him, apart from his stunning work.  Every so often a new piece appears. His latest offering – his take on a nativity scene – was unveiled before Christmas at a hotel in Bethlehem.

Read more: When the mist clears: 20 – 20 Vision

  1. THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD YR A MATTHEW
  2. The Epiphany of the Lord
  3. Beads of Prayer
  4. The Holy Family Yr A

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