Archbishop Mgr Joseph Mercieca said yesterday he was "saddened" by moves to promote ideas that will gradually lead to the acceptance of divorce.

The Church "expects" the authorities never to let down their guard in defending the family and marriage from harm, Mgr Mercieca said.

"Any reform to the structure of the family should be geared to strengthen unity between married couples, while providing greater support to the family," he said.

Addressing couples married last year during a ceremony at St John's Co-Cathedral, in Valletta, Mgr Mercieca took the opportunity to make one last appeal in favour of the sacrament of marriage.

Mgr Mercieca, who hands over his ministry to Mgr Paul Cremona on Friday after 30 years at the helm, expressed concern on certain ideas and attitudes that were creeping into society.

"As a spiritual leader, I am saddened when I see those who, directly or indirectly, try to push forward ideas intentioned so that, slowly, Maltese society accepts the idea of divorce and feels it cannot go on without legislating its introduction," he said.

He encouraged newlyweds to find the time to pray together, say the rosary every day, if possible, and to receive the sacraments of confession and communion often.

"It is these that will keep your union and love untainted and help you get closer to God," Mgr Mercieca said.