By Kathi Stearns

Archbishop John F. Donoghue will participate in Life Chain Atlanta, a peaceful and prayerful witness to the sanctity of life, on Sunday, Oct. 3.

Catholics of all ages will gather at the Cathedral of Christ the King, 2699 Peachtree Road, at 2:15 p.m. Catholic families will stand on both sides of Peachtree from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

The Life Chain, an interdenominational event, is expected to stretch from Lenox Square to Fourteenth Street.

Participants will receive signs which read "Abortion Kills Children" and "Adoption: The Loving Option." Clergy will hold signs that say, "Jesus Heals and Forgives." Each participant will be asked to donate a minimum of one dollar, if it is within their means, to pay this year's expenses and to build up a treasury for next year's event.

Following the Life Chain hour of witness, Archbishop Donoghue will lead Catholics in Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the cathedral.

Life Chain began in 1987 in Yuba, Calif., and has been held in cities all over the country. It is organized to provide a visual statement that Christians are united against abortion. In 1992, over 800 cities participated. Last year over 7,000 people participated in Life Chain Atlanta.

This project, known as National Life Chain Sunday, is intentionally held on the first Sunday of October, the day set by the U.S. bishops as Respect Life Sunday. The event invites Catholics to participate as an extension of Sunday liturgy and as a visual observance of Respect Life Sunday.

The action is completely silent and those taking part are asked to be "peaceful, prayerful and polite in both word and deed." They block no streets, intersections, driveways or sidewalks.

Parking is available in the cathedral parking lots, and along the side streets with overflow parking at the Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church just north of the cathedral.

The event has been cleared with authorities and is legal. Catholics who would like to participate should contact their parish pro-life representative or Peggy Sinanian, director of Life Chain Atlanta, at 404-88-7821.