Archbishop Charles Scicluna this evening described today as “a sad day for Malta” as Parliament approved the Bill decriminalising the vilification of religion.

In a tweet, he said: "Demeaning God and man indeed go hand in hand. A sad day for Malta. Lord forgive them: they do not know what they do."

The Bill, which also amends the Criminal Code and introduces revenge porn as a crime, was was today approved from third reading.

The Opposition had welcomed the introduction of revenge porn as a crime and said it had no difficulty with the amendment of pornography laws.

It had also agreed that the artistic community should have more leeway and not be afraid it would be taken to court because of its artistic expression.

However, it had been against the removal of the law on the vilification of religion, which also spoke on public order, security and peace of mind.