Life Chain puts new COVID-19 safety protocols in place to protect public health during Oct. 4 events across the country

The annual Life Chain will again be held at Idylwyld Dr. and 22nd St. in Saskatoon 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, with participants asked to observe physical distancing and other safety measures because of COVID-19. (File photo by Tim Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski September 29, 2020

By Brian Dryden, Canadian Catholic News

[Ottawa – CCN] – The annual national Life Chain will be held at locations across Canada on Sunday, Oct. 4, despite a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in Canada’s largest provinces and some warning of a COVID-19 “second wave.”

The annual pro-life event is going ahead with organizers saying that their pro-life message is more important than ever, while stressing that safety rules they have put in place makes the event as safe as possible for participants and the public.

One of the event’s organizers told the Canadian Catholic News that COVID-19 specific safety protocols and a new code of conduct have been developed to make the gathering of pro-life Canadians at about 200 outdoor locations across the country a safe event.

“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.

In the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon the annual Life Chain hour of pro-life witness calling for an end to abortion and euthanasia will be held Sunday, Oct. 4 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at several locations, including the corner of Idylwyld Drive and 22nd Street in Saskatoon, as well as at the Civic Park in Humboldt, SK., and at 1st Avenue East in Unity, SK.

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.

Luetke acknowledges 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.

“It is more important than ever to continue to speak out about pro-life issues,” she said.

According to a Campaign Life Coalition press release to be released on Oct. 2, pro-life Canadians across the country on Oct. 4 “will demonstrate peacefully, praying and holding signs in support of the right to life from the time of conception until natural death.”

“Although we’ve had to make some adjustments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, generally speaking, the new restrictions don’t impede Life Chain too much, as this is an outdoor event, and participants have always been encouraged to stand a few metres apart in order to cover more ground,” Luetke said.

“We are urging all to abide by proper health and safety measures and we are confident that participants will be physically distanced.”

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.

Along with the endorsement by some of the largest Catholic dioceses in Ontario such as Ottawa-Cornwall Archbishop Terrence Prendergast and Bishop Ronald Fabbro of London, ON.

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