An expert appointed by the Polish government to advise it on family planning and sex education classes in schools has described contraception as “wicked” and claimed that it can lead to "sex addiction".

Urszula Dudziak, a professor at the theology department at the Catholic University of Lublin, has also claimed contraception "was a sign of immaturity" and that there is no such thing as a “Catholic contraceptive”.

Professor Dudziak’s views on contraception became public knowledge after the Polish press revealed sections of a speech called “Know the Truth About Contraception” she made at 2014 at a conference entitled “The Great Defenders of Life”.

“People protecting themselves against unwanted pregnancy risk serious consequences such as hedonism, sex addiction, a sense of shame and a tendency to betray,” said the professor. “Using contraception is wicked,” she continued, stating its use was a sign of immaturity.

“That is why we need to educate about love,” she concluded.

Her comments, and her appointment, have raised questions marks over handling of sex education in Polish schools. Poland’s conservative government has strong links with the Catholic Church, and some fear it may now roll back the country’s already patchy family planning courses, or favour placing a greater emphasis on Catholic values at the expense of education on contraception.