Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna believes matters affecting young people should not be shied away from. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Sexual relationships with 16-year-olds should be treated as a “human phenomenon” and not a criminal offence, according to Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna.

“I don’t think the best approach here is a criminal one. This issue is more profound than that and needs to be discussed in the appropriate forums. We cannot ignore reality,” Mgr Scicluna said.

He added that it was also important not to send out a message that promiscuity did not pose risks and that some forms of these relationships could still carry criminal repercussions.

He was reacting to calls for a review of the legal age of consent in line with policies employed across the EU.

In Malta, a sexual relationship can only be consensual if both partners are aged 18 or over. A physical relationship with someone younger than that would constitute rape, an offence that carries a two-year jail term, regardless of whether permission was given or not.

GP Godfrey Farrugia, Labour Party Whip and former health minister, has pointed out in Parliament that Malta has the highest age of consent in Europe, only matched by Turkey.

This issue is more profound.We cannot ignore reality

In Spain it is legal to have sex with a 13-year-old, while in Italy and Portugal the age of consent is 14 and in Britain 16.

Mgr Scicluna yesterday acknowledged that debating this issue may raise eyebrows but urged society to face it head-on, insisting matters affecting youths should not be shied away from.

His comments resonate with those put forward by former GU clinic head Philip Carabot, who told Times of Malta that more and more adolescents were engaging in sexual activity.

Mgr Scicluna said media, particularly social media, had brought young people closer to sexuality and this in itself required a deep discussion.

Asked whether sexual education figured in this issue, and if the policy of limited courses in Church schools should be reviewed, he said he was not averse to educating youths in certain aspects of sexuality. “I think we should certainly present the fundamental questions of human sexuality, which is not necessarily simply about the instinctual aspect but also an issue of the changes youths go through, both mentally and physically.

“Ultimately, I think it’s a question of bringing a person’s sexuality into the context of human dignity and responsibility,” he said.