The Catholic Bishops Conference says it will not rescind its decision not to attend government facilitated pilgrimage to Israel even after the president had explained the cost of the travel will not be borne by government. President Mahama in a meeting with the clergy at the Flagstaff House said the sponsorship for the trip was an offer from a private entity. Baffled by the controversy the issue has generated, the president told the beneficiary pastors to let him know if they are no longer interested in the trip so he will cancel it. But President of the group, Bishop Joseph Osei-Bonsu on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, said they would not be cajoled to attend the pilgrimage. According to him, posterity will judge them if they accept the 'juicy' offer at a time he says the country is facing serious socio-economic crisis. Bishop Osei-Bonsu found it intriguing that the supposed private entity did not work directly with the churches and rather decided to do it through government. "Whether the sponsorship package is from government or not, we still insist that the pilgrimage to Israel is not necessary. We maintain our stance that the money should be used to help the poor in our society" the Bishop added. He said even though the Catholic Bishop Conference was represented at the Flagstaff House, they are not convinced by the explanations given. Bishop Osei-Bonsu said their principles as Catholic Bishops do not support anything that will not be in the interest of Ghanaians.