The Catholic Church in Kerala has declined to take a serious view of CPI-M's criticism for inviting Sangh Parivar activists to the recent dialogue between Hindus and Christians to clear misunderstandings over issues like conversion.

"Dialogue, not confrontation and retaliation is the Christian approach. So we don't think there is anything wrong in holding talks with Hindu outfits and religious leaders which included some nominees of Sangh Parivar," Secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), Fr Stephen Aalathara said.

The dialogue was held in Kochi on September 29.

CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had yesterday criticised the church leaders for holding talks with Sangh Parivar leaders when Christians continued to be under attack allegedly from the "Hindutva forces" in Orissa.

The Marxist leader said the exercise amounted to giving legitimacy to the Sangh parivar as if it was the authorised voice of the Hindu society.

"Statements like this could be seen only as unfounded charges from politicians, which do not even deserve a proper response", Fr Alathara said.

While strongly condemning the attack on the community in Orissa and Karnataka, he said the dialogue process was started with the good intention that the centuries old tradition of religious harmony in Kerala should be safeguarded.