The Honduran government has promised to protect Roman Catholic priest Andrés Tamayo and the rest of the participants in the National March for Life, after an attempt was made on the life of another priest last week in the northeastern department of Olancho. The priest, seen as an ally of Tamayo, escaped the attack unharmed.

''I have instructed the police and armed forces to provide due protection to the demonstrators as they begin the march from different points around the country,'' in the mobilization to take place Jun. 24-30, said President Ricardo Maduro.

Bertha Oliva, of the Honduran Committee of Families of the Detained-Disappeared, and march organizer, told Tierramérica that Tamayo was going to accompany priest Juan Pagoada, ''but last-minute problems prevented him from getting in the car'' that was attacked.

''We have concrete evidence that the attack was aimed at Tamayo, but we know that life is only defended with life. We are not idealistic environmentalists or making a pilgrimage while fasting,'' she said.