Speakers at Wednesday's meeting were met with applause when they blamed a "distant" hierarchy for losing touch with the laity on issues such as women's ordination and the Liturgy.
An initial meeting for clergy took place in London in July.
Organisers hope that Wednesday's meeting, titled "A Call to Action", which was open to lay people, will encourage diocesan forums to be convened at which lay and clergy can meet to engage in dialogue "without fear".
One speaker, laywoman Catherine O'Donovan, told the audience: "[Elderly men] in the Vatican have no idea how you are suffering as lay people. It's a tragedy. We have to fix it."