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The Catholic Bishops Conference has issued a directive to its priests, not to accept the offer to be part of a State-sponsored pilgrimage trip to Israel. According to Bishop Joseph Osei Bonsu, President of the Conference, priests wishing to embark on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, should be able to fund the trip themselves. Bishop Osei Bonsu was speaking Thursday, on Adom TV, in reaction to reports suggesting that government intends to sponsor about 200 pastors to this year�s pilgrimage in Israel, to pray for the nation. He said even though the Catholic Church has not been officially approached, some pastors of the church have confirmed being approached by state officials to join some selected priests to the all-expense-paid trip. However, the church will not let them accept that offer. Bishop Osei Bonsu described the decision as misplaced, adding that sending pastors to Jerusalem is not the business of government. He maintained that, government must not use public funds to sponsor pastors to Israel to pray for the nation.