Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the ongoing tension between priests and CPM over Minister Saji Cheriyan's controversial remarks, Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) President Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, along with other church figures, attended the customary Christmas-New Year lunch hosted by the Chief Minister.

The lunch, held at a private hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, was also attended by Minister Saji Cherian, other ministers, and civic leaders.

On Tuesday, Cardinal Baselios Cleemis took a firm stance, declaring that he would not collaborate with the government unless Saji Cherian retracted his statement against the bishops. Within hours, the minister partially withdrew his statement. Consequently, the church leadership notified the government of their intent to attend the lunch.

Facing criticism from various church groups for his remarks against bishops who attended the Prime Minister's Christmas programme, Cheriyan had on Tuesday said he was withdrawing the controversial parts of his speech related to "cake and wine" that had offended them.

Cheriyan, however, maintained his stance criticising the bishops for allegedly not raising the issue of "violence targeting Christians" in Manipur and other parts of the country, during Modi's Christmas programme.