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.

School for Synodality

Written by: Alex Walker

School for Synodality

A Happy & Holy Christmas

Written by: Alex Walker

To you and your families. May 2025 give us the peace that only Christ can bring!

Taking Liturgy Seriously - Online Course

Written by: Alex Walker

In January 2025, the Society of St Gregory begins the third Taking Liturgy Seriously online course.

This year, the focus will be on liturgical spirituality, taking its inspiration from Pope Francis’ letter on liturgical formation, Desiderio Desideravi: “‘I would like this letter to help us to rekindle our wonder for the beauty of the truth of the Christian celebration.” (n.62)

The aim of the course is to enable personal reflection on what it means to be a member of the worshipping community, how others are worshipping with you, and how ministering in all its forms is a part of our own worship and prayer. It will develop a clear understanding of how the Church’s liturgy expresses her theology and spirituality.

The course will run online (Zoom) and comprise six modules of three consecutive Thursday evenings from January to November 2025 at 7.30 to 8.45pm.

In the past, a recording of each talk was made available for those who were unable to attend live; I assume that this will again be the case.

For more information, and to book your place, click on the link below.

https://ssg.org.uk/taking-liturgy-seriously-3/

Executive Summary - Final Document of the Synod October 2024

Written by: Frank Callus
FAO: The Diocesan Bishops of England and Wales 
  
You will be aware that the Final Document of the Synod October 2024 has been issued. 
 
It argues,persuasively, for wider and deeper participation of all the People of God to create a listening, synodal Church. 
The Catholic Church is being called to be a more effective prophetic voice.
 
To encourage participation and engagement, we need to recognise the need for material that is more accessible than most Vatican documents. 
 
The Tablet published a blog in February 2024 making the case for a reader-friendly version of the Final Document for the Synod on Synodality
 

Read more: Executive Summary - Final Document of the Synod October 2024

Towards a New Way of Being the Church

Written by: Raymond Hylton

The Background

 

The Church founded by the apostles has known a few disasters down the centuries.  They often arose from lack of listening, and therefore of failure to understand what was happening.  Eastern and Western churches slowly drifted apart as prayer and liturgy separated into Greek and Latin languages.  In the late middle ages, no-one noticed that a literate laity was emerging, or that printing would revolutionize culture and communication.  When reformers, such as Luther or Calvin, demanded reforms, few would listen to them or enter a dialogue on how to proceed.  Too few foresaw that calls for reform would be exploited to suit their own purposes by kings, powerful magnates and city states seeking autonomy.

Read more: Towards a New Way of Being the Church

  1. Four Haikus for Advent, a journey of anticipation
  2. Advent Calendar
  3. The Selection of Bishops
  4. Cardinal Elect Timothy Radcliffe Meditations

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