Loading...
Loading...
Click here if you don’t see subscription options
Participants hold signs during the 2019 Life Chain in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The annual event will be held across Canada despite a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in Canada's largest provinces. In the U.S., National Life Chain Sunday has been moved to Nov. 1 this year, although some cities will observe the Oct. 4 date. (CNS photo/Paul Schratz courtesy of B.C. Catholic)      

OTTAWA, Ontario (CNS) -- The annual National Life Chain will be held across Canada Oct. 4 despite a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada's largest provinces and the prime minister warning of a COVID-19 "second wave."

Organizers said they believe their pro-life message is more important than ever. They said the rules they have put in place make the gathering of pro-life Canadians at about 200 outdoor locations across the country as safe as possible for participants and the public.

One of the event's key organizers told Canadian Catholic News that COVID-19 safety protocols and a new code of conduct have been developed.

"There should be no problem for anyone who is generally healthy to take part in this year's Life Chain," said Josie Luetke, a Life Chain Canada committee member and youth coordinator for the Campaign Life Coalition.

"Those who may be worried about the COVID-19 situation or for health reasons shouldn't take part; we are asking them to put up a pro-life sign at their homes and pray during the hour," Luetke said.

This year's National Life Chain is scheduled for between 2 and 3 p.m., although there may be some time differences at some sites across the country. Details about specific sites where a Life Chain event is planned and the safety protocols that have been developed for the event can be accessed at the Campaign Life Coalition's website, where a special Life Chain tab has been created.

Luetke acknowledged that some community-based Life Chain organizers have dropped out because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but for the most part Life Chain gatherings will be held across the country as they have been in the past.

"We've always wanted and encouraged people to spread out at the Life Chain because it makes the chain appear longer and makes more of an impact, so we've always had a form of social distancing," Luetke said.

A Campaign Life Coalition statement that was to be released Oct. 2 said pro-life Canadians across the country "will demonstrate peacefully, praying and holding signs in support of the right to life from the time of conception until natural death."

The 2020 Life Chain has been endorsed by numerous Catholic bishops and other faith leaders in Canada, including the leaders of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and Muslims for Life.

We don’t have comments turned on everywhere anymore. We have recently relaunched the commenting experience at America and are aiming for a more focused commenting experience with better moderation by opening comments on a select number of articles each day.

But we still want your feedback. You can join the conversation about this article with us in social media on Twitter or Facebook, or in one of our Facebook discussion groups for various topics.

Or send us feedback on this article with one of the options below:

We welcome and read all letters to the editor but, due to the volume received, cannot guarantee a response.

In order to be considered for publication, letters should be brief (around 200 words or less) and include the author’s name and geographic location. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

We open comments only on select articles so that we can provide a focused and well-moderated discussion on interesting topics. If you think this article provides the opportunity for such a discussion, please let us know what you'd like to talk about, or what interesting question you think readers might want to respond to.

If we decide to open comments on this article, we will email you to let you know.

If you have a message for the author, we will do our best to pass it along. Note that if the article is from a wire service such as Catholic News Service, Religion News Service, or the Associated Press, we will not have direct contact information for the author. We cannot guarantee a response from any author.

We welcome any information that will help us improve the factual accuracy of this piece. Thank you.

Please consult our Contact Us page for other options to reach us.

City and state/province, or if outside Canada or the U.S., city and country. 
When you click submit, this article page will reload. You should see a message at the top of the reloaded page confirming that your feedback has been received.

The latest from america

A Homily for Easter Sunday, by Father Terrance Klein
Terrance KleinMarch 27, 2024
As Catholics around the world observe Holy Week, the hosts of “Inside the Vatican,” Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell, take a look at Pope Francis’ Holy Week plans.
Inside the VaticanMarch 27, 2024
A Reflection for Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord, by Sam Sawyer, S.J.
Sam Sawyer, S.J.March 27, 2024
Catholics: Think twice before you bury poor St. Joseph upside down in your front lawn when trying to sell your house.
Simcha FisherMarch 27, 2024