The #CathApol IRC Chat Channel

ACCESSING #CathApol

To access our Catholic Apologetics Chat Channel you will need an IRC client. Two of the most popular out there are Pirch98 and mIRC (there are others). These can be downloaded from several shareware sites (like http://www.tucows.com), my preference is Pirch98. Once you download a client, run the install of it and start it up.

With Pirch you'll likely need to "enable" the "ident server" which can be found under the "Tools" selection at the top of the program window.

Once you have that set up, click on "Login" select "Undernet" then find a server that will work from your location, (I have had the best luck with Phoenix, St. Louis and Austin). Then click "connect."

Once you are logged in to a server, type: /join #CathApol

That's all there is to it. It's a bit confusing the first time round, but after using the program a couple times, it gets easier. The method for using mIRC is similar.

RULES:

POLICIES

1. The #CathApol Channel is setup to discuss apologetics, ONLY.
2. You may ask questions of us, even challenge us, but respect must be shown to us and to our Church (including the Pope, the Blessed Virgin, the Magisterium, etc.). You may disagree, but you must show respect.
3. The Channel Ops will not use their "Op power" to "win" an argument." Report any such abuses to CathApol either in email or in a private chat.
4. The #CathApol Channel is not to be used to defend any particular "group" that may carry the name "Catholic." We are here to discuss apologetics, only.
5. If it is noticed that you are in porno or other sexually related channels or "hate" channels (like nazism, or skinheads, etc.), or other objectional channels, you will be asked to part those or ours.
6. Questions about Catholicism will be answered by Catholics, and preferably one of the Channel Operators (Ops). Non-Catholics and especially Ex-Catholics are not to "teach" others about Catholicism - that must be left to those who ARE Faithful Catholics.

Violations of the Rules and/or Policies will get you kicked from the channel. Repeated violations will get you banned. Overt attacks on the channel or channel ops will get you banned the first time.

OUR INTENTION

It is not our intention to replace or "compete" with any of the other Catholic channels on IRC. Our goal is to peacefully co-exist with these other channels. Each one has their own particular purpose and will draw an audience interested in that purpose. Also, each channel's manager and ops will have their own personality that will be carried over to the channel. This "personality" will also draw (or push away) some participants. It is our hope that you will find the channel that "fits" your interests, if it is #CathApol, or one of the others, or some combination of them - great!