20 Years Blogging!

 

Twenty Years Blogging!

From very humble beginnings - well, we're still fairly humble - the Qui Locutus Blog, then called the CathApol Blog, started back on October 18, 2002! Here is the link to the FIRST POST!

A Brief Recap of Our History

1966 - Arizona Catholic Truth Society

This blog actually started as a "snail-mail" list back in 1966, with the Arizona Catholic Truth Society. The original founder of A.C.T.S. was Francis Marks whose purpose in starting A.C.T.S. was to promote the truth of the traditions of the Catholic Faith and to expose abuses going on in the post-conciliar Church - virtually right after the Council of Vatican II closed.

October 1988 - American Catholic Truth Society

Scott started the "ACTS BBS" in Phoenix, Arizona, working with Mike Middleton, who ran the "All Nite Cafe" BBS in Phoenix. Scott's version of ACTS started as a subboard on Mike's BBS and lived there for 3 years, until Scott moved his family to Prescott. Scott was looking for a good name for the BBS, and Francis offered for him to take over the A.C.T.S. name, but now since the reach was well beyond the state of Arizona, the "A" now stands for "American."

July 1991 - Nite Owl/ACTS BBS

Scott started his own BBS, with the help of Mike still. The Nite Owl/ACTS BBS ran as a dial-up BBS from 10pm till 6am everyday. It was linked to the GT Power Network and to CIN (the Catholic Information Network) ran by Mike and Sharon Mollerus, in San Diego. From that "hop" to San Diego, ACTS jumped to a worldwide network. Keep in mind, the "public Internet" is still a bit in the future.

1996 - AmericanCatholicTruthSociety.com 

The website for ACTS, the AmericanCatholicTruthSociety.com, replaces the BBS system and Scott begins hosting email lists. The various email lists hosted by ACTS were:

ACTS - General Catholic apologetics - Moderated.

BattleACTS - General Catholic apologetics - Less Moderated.

Catholic Debate Forum (CDF) - No-holds barred apologetics - virtually no moderation except for extreme cases (which were rare).

TradCath - For discussions relating to Traditional Catholics, those who remain faithful to the Traditional Latin Mass, or the Extraordinary Rite.

Sadly, the email lists were being hosted on Yahoogroups, which is now defunked. Scott, however, is working on a revival of these forums on a webboard - see below and join back in!

1990s - The CathApol IRC Chatroom

For many years, this was a place of "live chat" via IRC (Internet Relay Chat) networks. We let this medium go for a couple reasons, 1) keeping it moderated took a lot of effort, and without a moderator in channel, hackers would take over. 2) The audience was very limited - unless the text files were saved and posted elsewhere later (we did that a few times) the audience was just those who were live in the channel at the time of the discussion/debate. It was a fun and challenging format, but just became too much to keep up with. The CathApol Chatroom did help bridge the gap between the BBS world and into the Internet world.

October 2002 - The CathApol Blog

Link to the first post (click here).

November 2017 - The Qui Locutus Blog

On November 19, 2017, the CathApol Blog became the Qui Locutus Blog. All the content remained, just the name was changed. Why the name change? Well, one reason is I also go by the "nickname" of "CathApol" and while I am the chief blogger here, I am not the only one - and secondly, this is not about me - but about the Catholic Church and how the Holy Ghost brought about her foundation on Pentecost.

May 2021 - Catholic Debate Forum

The return of ACTS, BattleACTS, CDF and Tradcath on FreeForums.net. It has been slow starting, and with Scott's school endeavors - he has not had as much time to promote and get these forums as active as they used to be. If you are interested in adding your views, go to: 

https://catholicdebateforum.freeforums.net/ 

...please, join in or start a new conversation - or debate!

Scott Update

 Hi All!

It's been a little while since my last update, but it's time now!

 Recap:

In July a colonoscopy found cancer in my colon.

August 11, I had surgery to remove 18 inches of my colon. He also took out 13 lymph nodes (and for good measure, my appendix!), one of the 13 lymph nodes showed cancer as well. Then came recovery from surgery.

Last week I got the results back from a CT of my chest, my lungs are clear of cancer! Previous CT of the abdomen, prior to surgery, showed the liver is clear of cancer too! If the cancer spread to other organs, the next place is usually the liver or the lungs.

October 5, I am scheduled to begin chemotherapy to remove any microscopic cancer cells which may remain. Chemo will be every 2 weeks for 12 sessions (6 months).

Your continued prayers are much appreciated!

In Christ,

Scott<<<

YES! I CAN!

 

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Laying On of Hands

Laying on of hands to pass the Holy Ghost upon others. This was the subject of Pastor Greg Laurie the morning of August 28, 2022. I happened to have NewsMax on in my bedroomand his broadcast came on. Laurie spoke about the laying on of hands, but "missed it by that much!"

The laying on of hands is part of the Rite of Confirmation - and is done solely under the auspices of a valid bishop (a priest can do it with permission from his bishop). So while Laurie had it partially correct, the Holy Ghost IS passed on through the laying on of hands, not just anyone has the authority to do this.

Have Faith, Ye Who Are Falsely Accused!

 Scripture of the Week

From today's readings, the Epistle according to the Extraordinary Form, Wisdom 10:10-14

¹⁰ She (Wisdom) conducted the just, when he fled from his brother's wrath, through the right ways, and shewed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours.

¹¹ In the deceit of them that overreached him, she stood by him, and made him honourable.

¹² She kept him safe from his enemies, and she defended him from seducers, and gave him a strong conflict, that he might overcome, and know that wisdom is mightier than all.

¹³ She forsook not the just when he was sold, but delivered him from sinners: she went down with him into the pit.

¹⁴ And in bands she left him not, till she brought him the sceptre of the kingdom, and power against those that oppressed him: and shewed them to be liars that had accused him, and gave him everlasting glory.

For those falsely accused and imprisoned, take heart! As is stated in Deut. 32:35 "Revenge is mine, and I will repay them in due time." The same thought is echoed (and references this verse) in Romans 12:19 "Revenge not yourselves, my dearly beloved; but give place unto wrath, for it is written: Revenge is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord."

 So, vengeance is not up to those falsely accused, leave that to the Lord! His vengeance will be far much just than you could ever hope yours to be!

 Anything BUT "Ordinary!"

August 15th is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary! It is a solemnity, a holy day of obligation, and a dogma of the Catholic Faith!

In the modern lectionary this season is called "Ordinary Time." It is actually the SECOND period of Ordinary Time in the liturgical year, the first being what is traditionally referred to as the Season After Ephiphany, which is also part of Christmastide - and also not a very "ordinary" season!

Earlier we posted "Not-So-Ordinary-Time" listing all the extraordinary solemnities and many other special celebrations which take place during this so-called "Ordinary Time." So, why is it called "Ordinary Time?" While one could get into conspiracy theories of modernists attempting to downplay traditional Catholic values, this writer would rather not. The fact is, "ordinary" comes from the same root word as "ordinal" - which means "counting." Thus, literally speaking "ordinary" is not inaccurate, it is, however, in common use rather misleading. The modern usage of "ordinary" equates to something not special or not unique, or not worthy of taking note of. This is why this writer believes we should go back to calling this "Ordinal Time" and not JUST "Ordinal Time," but the "Ordinal Time After Pentecost" (and the earlier season the "Ordinal Time After Epiphany") for this not only removes the "ordinary" connotation but reminds us throughout the season of one of the biggest celebrations of the liturgical year - the birthday of the Church, Pentecost!

This Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is yet another reminder of how extraordinary this season is and should be observed as such. 

Holy Spirit or Holy Ghost?

 

 

Why do most Traditionalists say "Holy Ghost" and most modern Christians say "Holy Spirit?"

First off, it stems from the Latin "spiritu sancto" and the two words, taken separately, can be translated to "Holy" and "Spirit." However, we are not taking them separately when we say "Holy Ghost" or the poorer translation of "Holy Spirit." Why is this a "poorer translation?" Simply stated, "Holy" and "Ghost" are from German epistemology, which is literally "heiliger Geist" and from there the English derives "Holy Ghost." To use "Holy Spirit" we're translating "heiliger" to Holy, but going back to the Latin "spiritu" to get "Spirit" - so it's a mixed translation and strictly speaking, not as properly translated.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-german/holy-ghost

 

 

So is it "wrong" to say "Holy Spirit?" Well, again, "technically" no - the two words can be translated that way, but again, when taken separately. If we were consistent in translating "spiritu" to "spirit" then "sancto" should also be left as the more Latin root, and thus be "sanctified." But, "Sanctified Spirit" doesn't have that ring or flow to it. I repeat, "Holy Spirit" is not "wrong," it is just not as "proper" as "Holy Ghost." Or, another way of putting it, "Holy Ghost" is a "better" translation.

 

In the Latin Mass we say, "Santos, Sanctos, Sanctos" - which the English translation is "Holy, Holy, Holy" and again, alone - "sanctos" is properly translated to "holy."

Prayer Request

Well, it's been a tumultuous 2 weeks for me. A week ago Monday I had a colonoscopy - and the doctor found a cancerous growth in my colon. Surgery is scheduled for August 11th to remove a section of my colon, a fairly large section. There is a non-cancerous polyp (perhaps pre-cancerous) that was too big to remove during colonoscopy; and there is a cancerous mass. Both are on the right side, one higher than the other, but this means there will be a rather large incision, then 5-7 days in the hospital for recovery. He will also remove the lymph nodes in that area and have them biopsied. 

So far, pathology looks good - there is nothing pointing to the cancer spreading, but we won't know that for sure until pathology comes back post-surgery. If pathology comes back clean - then I will be cancer free and it will just be a matter of healing/recovery and back to work. Of course, the opposite is true, if it does not come back with an all-clear, then we will be talking chemotherapy and radiation with oncology.

So, I thank you in advance for your prayers and support!

In JMJ,

Scott<<<

 

Fastest Growing World Religions

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Roe v Wade Overturned!

Well, the news caught many of us off-guard as we were not expecting the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn the Roe v. Wade case from 1973. For nearly 50 years the mother's womb was one of the most dangerous places for a newly conceived child. From 1973 to the present there have been well over 600,000 abortions per year in the United States alone, and from 1977-1997, in that period it was well over 1 million abortions per year (1).

Now, does the decision by the Supreme Court mean that abortion is over? No, not by a long shot! All this decision has done is returned the authority back to the states for abortion. Some states already had laws on the books which became in effect as soon as the court presented its decision. Other states have said they will not prevent abortion at all, and welcome people from other states to come to them for the procedure. 

So, while abortions will not end immediately with this decision, they were already on the decline, along with pregnancy rates. The problem with this is that many pregnancies are terminated through artificial birth control (ABC) - and most of those treatments are, in reality, early abortions that do not "count" as abortions. Most forms of ABC do not prevent conception - but they affect the vaginal lining so that newly conceived babies cannot attach to their mother's womb - and thus die shortly after conception. Once sperm and egg unite, a new life has begun and if one artificially interferes with the process so that this new life terminates, regardless of how early this happens, it is still an abortion.

This has, indeed, been a glorious decision by the Supreme Court - but the Pro-Life fight is not over. So long as any states approve abortions AND so long as abortifacient forms of ABC continue - innocent lives are being destroyed.

That said, I support pro-choice! You have the right to choose NOT to have sex outside of marriage. Even within marriage, you have the right to choose WHEN to have sex, so long as you are accepting of God's Will that if you do become pregnant, you will be the parent of that child and not kill it. Your "choice" comes BEFORE pregnancy - once there is a child you cannot morally "choose" to kill it.

Resources:

(1) https://christianliferesources.com/2021/01/19/u-s-abortion-statistics-by-year-1973-current/ 

Double Solemnities of the Sacred Heart and Nativity of St John the Baptist

Solemnities of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. John the Baptist

This Friday, June 24, 2022 – is a double-solemnity! The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Solemnity; The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Solemnity. This is also the final "Cheeseburger Friday" of this liturgical year.

This is a great opportunity, for those of you who abstain from meat on ALL FRIDAYS of the year, not just during Lent (per Canon Law 1251) and have friends and family who are aware of your abstinence - and they see you eating a cheeseburger (or steak, or chicken, or pork, etc.) and they question you about it. "Why are you eating meat today, it's Friday!" This opens the door for you to explain the fact that this Friday is not just *A* solemnity, but a *DOUBLE* solemnity - and on *ANY* solemnity it is treated like a Sunday (all Sundays are like "little Easters") and there is no fasting or penance (like abstinence) on Sundays *OR* solemnities. As mentioned earlier, this is the final "Cheeseburger Friday" for this liturgical year.

This may also lead to the discussion of why you abstain from meat on Fridays, throughout the year. Your answer can be "Just like every Sunday is a 'little Easter' - every Friday is like a 'little Good Friday' when we remember the day our Lord died for our sins. Every time we would have had that piece of meat on a Friday, we should make a little meditation on *WHY* we are not eating meat - and it is to recall the Passion and Death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Now, while it is true - one does not *HAVE* to abstain from meat on all Fridays - *BUT* - you *MUST* do something equivalent, be it abstaining from something else *OR* participating in one of the Corporal Works of Mercy (see below). That said, you should remain consistent in what your regular Friday penance is. Again, this is part of what is said in Canon 1251 of Canon Law (see below). This canon is still in force for all non-Eastern rite Catholics - so we are ALL obliged to obey this under the penalty of mortal sin. 

Since we all HAVE to do this and it must be something equivalent to meat - why not just stick with meat?! Having fish-fries on Fridays is like a Catholic identity! Help bring it back! Share this with your friends!

So what is different about Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent as opposed to ALL Fridays throughout the year? On Ash Wednesday and Good Friday during Lent we are to abstain from meat (and it HAS to be abstinence from meat during Lent, no alternatives) AND fast (one full meal plus two smaller snacks which, if combined, do not add up to a full meal). On the rest of the Friday of Lent and Fridays throughout the year it is only abstinence, not fasting. Again, see Canon 1251 (below).

 

 

Please add your comment(s) and SHARE!  SPREAD THE WORD!

Pope Francis Resigning - More Likely Now?

 About a year and a half ago I posted speculation of Pope Francis resigning - granted, and openly stated that the claims were "rumors" and a bit questionable and I took a "wait and see" approach. Well, while still not officially announced - Pope Francis' health has been getting more concerning as of late, and according to a TMZ article, he cancelled a planned visit to Africa and also just called in the cardinals he recently appointed (and one could speculate on specifics here, but let's not).

That said, other agencies are saying the resignation of Pope Francis "seems unlikely." Another says, "no one expects the Pope to die or resign anytime soon." Or, "resignation rumors are 'cheap soap opera'," The Boston Pilot says.

Now, the fact that Pope Francis is most often seen in wheelchair can be explained by the fact that he is experiencing severe knee pain, unlike when Pope John Paul II succumbed to a wheelchair as Parkinson's took more and more of a role. 

For now - and again - this observer will continue with the "wait-and-see" approach.

A Not-So-Ordinary Time

 

Ordinal Time is Anything BUT Ordinary!

Solemnities of the Catholic Church this year:

• Sunday, June 12, 2022 – The Most Holy Trinity, Solemnity
• Thursday, June 16, 2022 – Corpus Christi, Solemnity
• Friday, June 24, 2022 – The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Solemnity; The Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Solemnity
• Wednesday, June 29, 2022 – Saints Peter and Paul, Solemnity
• Monday, August 15, 2022 – The Assumption of Mary, Solemnity
• Wednesday, November 2, 2022 – All Souls’ Day
• Sunday, November 20, 2022 – Solemnity of Christ the King
  

Then there are important Feast Days:

• Thursday, June 23, 2022 - Nativity of St. John the Baptist (Joined to the Most Sacred Heart solemnity)
  
• Saturday, August 6, 2022 - The Transfiguration of the Lord
• Monday, August 22, 2022 - The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Wednesday, September 14, 2022 - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• Thursday, September 15, 2022 - Our Lady of Sorrows
• Friday, October 7, 2022 - Our Lady of the Rosary
• Tuesday, November 1, 2022 - All Saints Day
• Monday, November 21, 2022 - The Presentation of the Virgin Mary

Now, these are just the solemnities and important feast days - this list does not include all the memorials to Saints throughout this Ordinal Time. So, you can see we have plenty of beyond-ordinary celebrations during the Season After Pentecost - or Ordinal Time - and this is why it is argued that we should stop calling this period (and the Season After Epiphany too) "Ordinary Time" - for as has been said many times now, this season is ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY!

Yes, these are "counting weeks," hence the name "ordinal" is used, for "ordinal" refers to order, or a counted period of time - such as the weeks after Pentecost. And yes, "ordinary" comes from the same root, but in modern English usage, "ordinary" refers to something common, or nothing special - when there are plenty of special celebrations during Ordinal Time!

If you agree, click on the "SHARE" buttons below and help spread the word and perhaps if enough of us are talking about it, we can see a return to calling these "counting weeks" as "Ordinal Time."

AMDG,

Scott<<< 

#Ordinal #OrdinaryTime #extraordinary