Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte has told the faithful they are better off worshipping God in their own homes as he branded members of the clergy 'idiots' in his latest standoff with the Catholic Church.
Duterte said in a speech on November 26 that Catholics should build a chapel in their own homes instead of paying 'idiots' at church to conduct important services like baptisms and funerals.
'When someone is baptized, you have to pay...when someone dies, you have to pay,' president Duterte said, according to Rappler.
'Build your own chapel in your own house and pray there. You don't have to go to church to pay for these idiots.'
The Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic but the Church has found itself under frequent attack from the president after criticising his brutal crackdown on drug traffickers.
The president sparked anger across the Philippines earlier this year when he called God 'stupid' for allowing Adam and Eve to be tempted.
'You created something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work,' he said.
In August, he threatened violence against members of the clergy, telling a meeting of business leaders, 'Is there any bishop here? I want to kick your a**.'
Then in comments on All Saints' Day on November 1, he again courted controversy by suggesting Catholics put his picture on the altar instead of that of 'drunkard' saints.
'Just stay with me. I'll give you one patron saint so you can stop searching for one. Get hold of a picture of mine and put it on the altar - Santo Rodrigo,' he said.
