MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte's dialogue with religious leaders is "just another tool for propaganda" if it will not lead to a commitment to stop killings and disinformation, and respect for democratic institutions, a bishop said Sunday.

Duterte formed a committee to talk with religious leaders after he drew criticism for saying God is "stupid" for allowing His creation to be ruined by letting Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit.

"We welcome the offer of dialogue between government and various churches, as long as the gesture is sincere. Such dialogue will be effective if there will be more listening and less defensiveness from both sides," Bishop Joel Baylon said in a statement read Sunday in Mass celebrations across the Diocese of Legazpi, Albay.

"It will be fruitful if it leads to President Duterte pursuing a categorical commitment to stop the killings and disinformation, and respecting human rights and democratic institutions. Otherwise it will be just another tool for propaganda," he added.

The Catholic Church has been a vocal critic of Duterte's war on drugs, citing unexplained killings. The administration has asserted that it was not behind vigilante slays and that those killed in drug raids had resisted arrest.

In his statement, Baylon also accused Duterte of committing blasphemy for branding God as "stupid" and "inventing a fake story of creation that is different from that found in the Bible."

"In his official capacity as President of the Republic, he has crossed the line by disrespecting religious freedom and attacking Church leaders. Inasmuch as he deems himself to be one of Catholic faith, he committed blasphemy," the bishop said.

He also alleged that Duterte "threatens and shames the Catholic Church so its leaders would stop opposing the justification of killings and proliferation of fake news, so they would choose silence and submission over proclaiming the Gospel of mercy and truth."

The clergy, he said, will continue preaching the gospel despite threats of attacks.

They will also pray for the President "so that he may be enlightened and find the courage to face the demanding task of leading our nation to true progress unity and peace," said Baylon.

Duterte is set to meet Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Romulo Valles on Monday in an attempt to ease the friction between the government and the Church.

• Duterte to have 'one-on-one dialogue' with CBCP president

Duterte wants a "working relationship" with the Church and expects the dialogue to be open and frank, his spokesperson Harry Roque said.

• Duterte wants 'working relationship', not war with Church: Roque