The Church's Diocesan Youth Commission said this morning that young people within the Church were shocked by the bullying actions of the offenders who earlier this month attacked two lesbians in Hamrun.

"Homophobia is a dangerous sign of arrogance. No one should be threatened for her or his sexual orientation. The violent incident of last week is primarily an attack on the dignity of the victims and their families."

The commission said sexual discovery is a crucial aspect of the search for personal identity, a discovery that should be supported not hindered. The development of youth is a delicate process and ought to be safeguarded in all its stages, it said.