In his article, Violence begets violence, Catholic sisters say, about airstrikes on Syria, Chris Herlinger of the Global Sisters Report interviewed Sr. Margaret O’Dwyer, one of two DC representatives at the United Nations, regarding the airstrikes on Syria:

“We have to send a message that the use of chemical weapons is not acceptable.” In the wake of the airstrikes, she said, “let’s pray for the Syrian people, for anyone injured or killed, and that the source of chemical weapons production was destroyed. Also that the bombing deters further chemical weapons use and that it does not ignite a greater war.”

She and other Catholic sisters said they did not support the airstrikes and advocated for diplomatic approaches to resolving the conflict in Syria. “What we can do is negotiate for a cease fire, with much support in enforcing it,” she added. “While a cease fire is negotiated, nations could work at getting in humanitarian aid — medical care, food, etc. — and aiding and accepting refugees.”

O’Dwyer’s humanitarian concerns are shared by other sisters representing their congregations at the United Nations where, on April 14, the U.N. Security Council voted down a resolution by Russia, an ally of the Syrian government, to condemn the attacks by forces of the United States, France and the United Kingdom.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also commented:

…the war in Syria “today represents the most serious threat to international peace and security,” adding, “We see confrontations and proxy wars involving several national armies, a number of armed opposition groups, many national and international militia, foreign fighters from everywhere in the world, and various terrorist organizations.”

Guterres said that for “eight long years, the people of Syria have endured suffering upon suffering.”

“Syrians have lived through a litany of horrors: atrocity crimes, sieges, starvation, indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, the use of chemical weapons, forced displacement, sexual violence, torture, detention and enforced disappearances. The list goes on.”

He added, “There is no military solution to the crisis. The solution must be political.”

To read the entire article, click here.

In case you missed it, here is the Statement on the Situation in Syria from the Vincentian International Network for Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation (VIN-JPIC)