The Annual International Life Chain event is a powerful reminder to everyone of this atrocity against life. Pope John Paul II in his Encyclical entitled, “The Gospel of Life” said “…every murder is a violation of the "spiritual" kinship uniting mankind in one great family, 11 in which all share the same fundamental good: equal personal dignity. Not infrequently the kinship "of flesh and blood" is also violated; for example when threats to life arise within the relationship between parents and children, such as happens in abortion or when, in the wider context of family or kinship, euthanasia is encouraged or practiced.”
On Sunday, October 1, 2005, from 2 – 3 p.m. pro life supporters from all denominations across the country will once again participate in the Annual International Life Chain. Last year thousands of people from coast to coast were involved in Life Chain at hundreds of locations in Canada. Thousands also join in this peaceful demonstration across the United States and internationally. The mission of Life Chain is "a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro life [citizens] standing for one hour praying for our nation and for an end to abortion."
Life Chain represents a visual statement of solidarity among pro life supporters, and our belief in the sanctity of human life. Abortion for many years has never had such prominence in public debate in North America as recent times due to politicians and electoral platforms.
The messages used by Life Chain volunteers are simple and straightforward: "Abortion Kills Children," "Adoption the Loving Option," "Abortion Hurts Women," and "Jesus Forgives and Heals." There are no pictures displayed on the signs.
Passers by will see two statements. The first obvious message is, those on the signs people are holding. The second, more subtle but equally powerful one is the thousands of people silently standing along the streets and intersections for an hour holding up these signs showing their local communities that they stand behind these statements.