MOOSE JAW — Moose Jaw Right to Life (MJRTL) held its annual Life Chain on Oct. 6, with 67 residents participating in the event and standing up for the rights of the pre-born.
The group stood near the intersection of Main Street and Caribou Street around Victory Church for about an hour, holding various signs that said, “A person’s a person no matter how small,” “I am for children, I am for women, I am for life,” and “Protect pre-born human rights.”
Life Chain — which has been happening for 35 years — is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life individuals standing for 60 minutes praying for an end to abortion in Moose Jaw, in Saskatchewan, in Canada and across North America, explained Jean Landry, MJRTL president.
Moose Jaw joined 14 other Saskatchewan communities, 340 towns and cities across Canada and countless others across the USA in this event, which is a visual statement of solidarity that the Christian community leads and that all like-minded individuals can join, she continued.
Furthermore, Life Chain demonstrates that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death, while it attempts to awaken the public conscience by exposing the truth that abortion results in the death of a child, she pointed out.
“We stand and collectively implore God to turn our hearts and minds away from this culture of death we have embraced and lead us back to a culture of life,” Landry said.
The MJRTL president noted that participating in the Life Chain takes residents out of their comfort zones as they stand out there, with many wondering what good their actions are doing. She then offered five reasons — developed by the Campaign Life Coalition — why the event matters.
Life Chain can save lives
It’s unknown how many abortion-minded women have seen the demonstrations, but Christians know that God can use their presence as a sign to those who may be undecided, she said.
Life Chain can bring healing
Some people criticize Life Chain as being insensitive, especially to those who have had an abortion. Some passersby will react in anger because the truth on the signs resonates with them since they may have an unhealed wound that has been exposed, Landry continued.
Recognizing that this wound exists and that Jesus forgives and heals is the first step to healing.
Life Chain challenges the public
Over 325 communities in Canada participated in Life Chain last year, with thousands of Canadians reminded that abortions are happening, and despite the pro-abortion government and media, abortion remains controversial. Passersby also learn that there is a movement committed to protect life.
Life Chain grows the pro-life movement
Millions of Canadians are pro-life, but few have put those convictions into practice, Landry said. Life Chain provides the opportunity to be a part of the movement and to learn more about the pro-life community while it opens an avenue for families who want to instill pro-life values in their kids.
Life Chain commemorates the lives lost to abortion
About 100,000 innocent humans are aborted in Canada annually, and while not every life can be saved, pro-life proponents can offer a different viewpoint, added Landry. Proponents can pray for women and offer them an hour, a small act of solidarity, or a tribute to their human dignity that usually goes unrecognized by so many.
