MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday made a renewed attack on the Catholic Church, suggesting that people should no longer go to the Church and instead make their own chapels at home.

Duterte said Church teachings are already “archaic” and people should instead "build a chapel in your own house and pray there."

"You don’t have to go to church to pay for these idiots," Duterte said in a speech during the groundbreaking of the Davao City Bulk Water Supply Project.

"Ang mga tao noon nomads. What do they know about the world today? Tapos pasundin niyo sa mga sinusulat ninyo? Totoo. How can people 3,000 years ago predict or project what is happening today?"

The President noted that while some priests are his friends, he does not encourage people to give money to bishops.

He accused the bishops of asking vehicles from government "knowing fully well that it is corruption because there is separation of Church and state."

"You have the balls, brave as you are, to ask for property of the government tapos magsalita kayong mga p******a ninyo, kala mo kung sino kayo," he added.

Duterte's fresh tirade against the Church follows his recent allegation against a prelate, who he said pockets Church offerings for the benefit of his family.

• Duterte accuses prelate of using Church donations for personal use

While Duterte did not clarify who he was referring to, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David felt alluded to and said “my parents never taught me to steal.”

• Bishop David on Duterte tirade: Let's bear with sick people

Duterte, leader of a country considered the bastion of Catholicism in Asia, routinely attacks the Church and its teachings. Earlier this year, he drew flak after calling God “stupid.” He held a dialogue with church leaders after his rant.

• Duterte asks: 'Who is this stupid God?'
• 'Most hypocritical institution': Duterte blasts Church anew

During his speech, the President denied saying that he does not believe in God.

"It is not true that I said I do not believe in God. I was answering to an incessant attack na demonic daw ako. Kasi diyan sa patayan...Sabi ko: 'I do not believe in your stupid God.' I have my own god, in my estimation. Hindi 'yan nangongolekta nang pera."