Gozo Bishop Mario Grech has reservations on the vision of sexuality and the concept of sexual health being proposed in the recently-published report on the national strategy.

"The fact that we have reached the point where, because of promiscuity, more education on the use of contraceptives at the right time and its medical implications is proposed gives rise to concerns about the ethical fibre of our society," Mgr Grech said.

He was speaking during a Pontifical Mass he led on the feast of St George in Victoria on Sunday.

Mgr Grech said that, in today's society, there were people who were "playing with the nature of marriage, not only those who did not accept that the bond could not be broken but also those who maintained it could be celebrated by a couple of the same sex".

The report by the Social Affairs Committee said education on sexual health had to be prioritised and convey a positive message. Rather than warning people to abstain from sex it should teach them what to do with their sexuality.

The committee said the national sexual health policy should promote education on the use of condoms and contraceptives and how a couple should mature in a relationship.

Information on abstinence and contraceptives had to be clear and free of taboos and prejudice, it said.

It should be based on the values of education and prevention, responsibility and fidelity and should send a clear and focused message, the committee said.

The strategy also had much in common with education in favour of strong relationships and the national policy on the family and their integration would have beneficial effects on society, it concluded.