The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling upon Catholics to “contact your two U.S. Senators and your Representative and urge them to vote against a resolution authorizing the use of military force in Syria.”

The bishops urge Catholics to “support U.S. leadership, in collaboration with the international community, for an immediate ceasefire in Syria and serious, inclusive negotiations for peace.”

Bishop Richard E. Pates sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, who is Catholic, last week. Quoting the position of the Holy See, Bishop Pates wrote: “’[T]he path of dialogue and negotiation between all components of Syrian society, with the support of the international community, is the only option to put an end to the conflict and to the violence that every day causes the loss of so many human lives….’ We ask the United States to work with other governments to obtain a ceasefire, initiate serious negotiations, provide impartial and neutral humanitarian assistance, and encourage building an inclusive society in Syria that protects the rights of all its citizens, including Christians and other minorities.”