WASHINGTON (CNS) — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has extended invitations to Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama to meet before the Nov. 4 election and discuss their views on a variety of election issues. Invitations to the major presidential candidates were sent in August, The Wall Street Journal reported Sept. 17. Bishop William F. Murphy of Rockville Centre, N.Y., chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, told the newspaper that five bishops who lead various policy committees want to discuss the candidates’ views on social policies such as abortion, education, immigration, international affairs and communications. Any meetings, should they occur, will be private and off the record, Bishop Murphy said. “This isn’t born of any concern or worry or problem,” Bishop Murphy told the newspaper. “We think it would be helpful for us to have that time and we think it would be helpful for the candidates to hear from the teachers of the Catholic Church … as to what our concerns are.”