History
           
 
Affirming Catholicism came into being in 1990 when a group of lay and ordained people met together to identify and celebrate the positive, inclusive and joyful currents which lie at the heart of the Catholic movement in the Anglican Communion. A public meeting at St Alban’s, Holborn, demonstrated that there was wider support leading to a national residential conference in York in July 1991 and the formation of the charity in December 1991.

 
"From the outset Affirming Catholicism has been about friendship and the desire to explore together an outward-looking, inclusive and Catholic attitude to life, faith and work. The delight is that so many people say that at last they can be themselves, say what they feel, and recognise everyone as equal members of the Church. As we deepen our faith in Jesus Christ and enlarge our understanding of humanity and its needs, we discover constructive Catholic theology in action."
 
 
  The Charity’s first registered office was at St Mary le Bow, Cheapside, where on 2 December 2006 we celebrated our 15th Anniversary.

From the beginning Affirming Catholicism was never intended to be another ‘party’ within the Church, but rather a movement of inspiration and hope open to all who wish to deepen their faith and to promote the Catholic tradition in Anglicanism.

The charity promotes the aims of the movement by producing educational material to inform and resource people to grow in the Christian faith and by informing and influencing debates in the Church by helping people to engage in the underlying theological issues.

The movement has supporters who entirely fund the work of the organisation in every English Diocese and national groups in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

  Local supporters worship, hold discussion, go on retreats and pilgrimages, and celebrate regularly together.

There are supporters, including some affiliated groups, in North America, South Africa, Australia and many other parts of the Communion.

There are nearly one hundred Affirming Catholics in Synod (ACiS) of the Church of England.

Residential conferences have covered themes such as Living the Mystery, the Eucharist, Evangelism, Tradition, Creation and Social Justice with papers published in book form.

In addition, the movement has published over 30 journals and booklets. Discounts on our publications are available to our supporters.