By Gretchen Keiser

A capacity crowd at the Cathedral of Christ the King was thanked by Archbishop John F. Donoghue for publicly showing their opposition to abortion on Respect Life Sunday.

"Life is a precious gift from God and no one, no one has the right to destroy that life," the archbishop commented following a Benediction service Oct. 3, attended by over 700 people. "Only God is the author of life."

"Pray, pray as we did this afternoon before Christ exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, asking that he will end in our time this awful scourge of abortion," Archbishop Donoghue added. He encouraged people not to be "disheartened" by the 20-year battle to reverse the liberalization of abortion laws in the U.A. He was applauded by those gathered, who filled every pew and also lined the side aisles of the cathedral.

The Respect Life celebration began with one hour of silent protest along Peachtree Road as an estimated 5,000 people from all denominations stood side by side holding signs that read "Jesus Heals and Forgives" or "Abortion Kills Children." A third sign talked about the option of adoption.

Peggy Sinanian, who coordinated the Life Chain in Atlanta, said approximately 1,000 Catholics took part, judging by the number of signs distributed outside the cathedral.

The witness, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., extended for several miles along Peachtree Road and Peachtree Street, and was only occasionally opposed by drivers who honked and waved "pro-choice" signs or voiced their displeasure. Other drivers honked and gave a "thumbs-up" sign of support.

Life Chain is an interdenominational event which occurs in many U.S. cities on the first Sunday in October. That is also the day designated by the U.S. bishops as Respect Life Sunday.

Archbishop Donoghue became the first Atlanta archbishop to take part in the event, continuing a practice he had begun as bishop of Charlotte, N.C. He commented on the number of young people taking part in Atlanta. Life Chain provides people with a way to show publicly their opinion on abortion, he said. "They don't have to give a speech. Their being here is a speech."

Among the groups taking part were a busload of parishioners from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Carrolton, about 25 students from St. Pius X High School, accompanied by several teachers, and Life Teen members from St. Ann's parish, Marietta.

Their involvement would conclude with the Sunday evening Life Teen Mass, followed by a pro-life teaching segment, said Randy Raus, Life Teen director at the parish.

A different choice was revealed by those, sporting Braves caps, who came to the Life Chain during the final, dramatic game of the 1993 season, George Ingham of Marietta, who said that he had changed his view from pro-choice to pro-life in recent years, was encouraged by Archbishop Donoghue's presence and written support for the pro-life cause. "I believe it is time to witness," he said, adding, "you can always watch a ballgame."

Tom and Mary Jo Pratt of Holy Spirit parish, Atlanta, came with their three young sons. Calling their presence the fruit of a spiritual conversion process, Mrs. Pratt said the sign reading "Jesus Heals and Forgives" is "the best message we can give right now."

She cited a devotion to Mary and to the Eucharist with encouraging them to act on their faith. "Prayer brought us to action," she said.

When the Life Chain ended, the archbishop assisted by Deacon Loris Sinanian, presided at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at the cathedral.

Mrs. Sinanian, who is director of the archdiocesan Pro-Life Office, said the large number of people who took part in the prayer service was as significant as the overall turnout by Catholics for the Life Chain.