Thursday, 26th November 2009 - 13:08CET
Fr Mark Montebello: 'Not happy, not angry' over Church decision
Fr Mark Montebello
Fr Mark Montebello said this afternoon that he was not happy, but not angry, after the Dominican Province issued a statement dissociating itself from statements he had made. ( http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091126/local/fr-mark-montebello ) .
Fr Montebello said that a letter he had received from the Province raised three issues: his article in it-Torca about divorce, his participation in a programme on One TV where he said he disagreed with a paedophile register, and his comments about the crucifix on The Times, Xarabank and Net TV.
He said he had been told to give his superiors prior copies of contributions he made to the press and to inform them beforehand of invitations to participate in TV programmes.
Fr Montebello said that in his views, opinions that were alternative to official opinions were still not acceptable in Malta. Again - the Church was back to where it was under Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and there was only one way of being Catholic, one way to understand theology and Church philosophy.
Fr Montebello said he would continue to work within the Church and the parameters it set.
In its statement earlier today the Dominican Province said that it regretted any confusion and anger caused by the views aired in the media and elsewhere by Fr Montebello OP and dissociated itself from them when they were not in line with the official teachings of the Catholic Church or with any of its policies.
"Unfortunately, on various occasions, his views tend to offend the sentiments of many, particularly, but not only, of practising Catholics, either because the views expressed do not always conform to the official teaching of the Catholic Church or because of lack of sensitivity shown when dealing with certain issue," the Dominicans said.
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Comments
Sir one cannot but note the curious lengths you go to misinterpret plain English. It was a question of your expectations not of what you actually accomplish linguistically or otherwise. I certainly have no difficulty in letting others express their opinion. I gag no one’s mouth. As to your great desire to uphold the status quo, where would the Dominican spirit be without the creative impulse of countermovement, a fossilised charisma that looks at its glorious past and rests on its laurels? The contemplation of VERITAS sometimes requires a little courage to go against the flow. It is that action which may present new possibilities to reconnect to a Faith, which professes belief in a crucified, but most significantly, a risen and living Christ. I would rather that every member of the Ordo Praedicatorum works tirelessly so that ultimately it is the ‘living Christ’ that doesn’t fade from our community. Hence the usefulness to the souls of others.
Before some malicious individual defames me, please note that It is you not I who are trying to label me as a "scholar".
What is relevant is that neither “Science” nor “Thomistic Philosophy” have anything to do with Fr Montebello’s attitude to the proposal that the crucifix be removed from the schoolrooms of Malta. Someone must have hoped that I would be awe-struck and become dumbfounded if they were mentioned.
By now it should be obvious that Fr Montebello hurt the sentiments of his bishops, his superiors in the Dominican Order, our political leaders and most of the Maltese observant Catholics. I do not agree with you that these are all “Catholics keen on displays of misguided fervour.” I will not be scared into silence by the false accusation that I judge others or that I label as “atheist” anyone who has not misguidedly boasted to be one.
You are well aware then, as a scholar of science, philosophy and Thomism that the Summa Theologica precedes Google by over 700 years therefore it is to be found in libraries all over the world and in other Universities and Thomistic centres not necessarily frequented by yourself. Why do you assume that you are the sole proprietor of this knowledge be it scientific, philosophical or theological? 'Scientists' from different disciplines other than yourself all over the world are indebted to Aquinas for more than one reason. Father Mark Montebello hurts the sentiments of none but those Catholics keen on displays of misguided fervour. Your greatest disservice to the Church is the assumption that yours is the only legitimate love for the Church. Public display of faith in Christ does not rest with the passive display of symbols but lies in action, that I think is Fr. Mark Montebello's example. What should bring Catholics together in Christ is action not effigies. You are quick to judge others as irreligious atheists I should think that Christ is slightly more universal than that.
I beg you; please try not to stoop to personal attacks but to confine yourself to solid arguments to which I could give civil replies. Before you venture to do so I must warn you that I have studied both science and Thomistic Philosophy academically and not by any desperate and hurried Google search.
I do not assume the role of any “Fidei defensor”. I know that the most notorious possessor of that title became the apostate founder of Protestantism in England and ended his miserable life attempting some form of rapprochement with the Catholic faith.
You flatter yourself by assuming the role of 'Fidei defensor' however what in reality you wholeheartedly defend is the preservation of the status quo. You do the Church no favours. In the innumerable times the Church has had to adjust its teaching in the face of incontrovertible evidence eg. from Science it is the Summa Theologica that provides the tools for this to happen. Therefore it is Thomistic reasoning and not I that prove you wrong.
One has to remember what he is representing. Some responsibility.
Unless you're out of the club ... its not nice.
I go one step further and say, that Christ says some things in the Bible, and the Church says other things!
This discussion has been distracted into irrelevant side issues. No one has contested Fr Montebello’s undisputed record of putting into practice the Christian commitment to love one’s neighbour especially the underdog. The Dominican community has stated this unequivocally. No one contests that, in common with the rest of frail humanity, Christians often sadly fail to reach the high standard demanded of them by Christ and by his Church. The real point at issue is that acquiescing to the atheist demand for the removal of the crucifix from schoolroom walls, and adopting a stance in open confrontation with the policy adopted by the Catholic Church, does not conduce to any improvement in the defective behaviour of any Catholics. It discourages them and makes them fear that the Church is no longer “UNAM, Sanctam, Catholicam Ecclesia.
This open defiance of one’s superiors in Christ only provides a platform for an atheist attack not only against Catholicism, but against all religions. A brief glance at many of the comments “in aid of” Fr Montebello proves this conclusively.
Relevant points:
Christ did not set out to defy anybody’s temporal power. What He actually said was: “Give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and give unto God what is God’s” and "My KIngdom is not of this earth"
The Jewish establishment delivered Christ into the hands of a pagan civil authority because they feared that Christ’s increasing following would be assumed to be another revolt against Rome and therefore it would be better that “one person” (Christ) should be sacrificed rather than the whole populace would suffer at the hands of the Romans.
"it does not aim to be popular because its mission is to attract dissenters back to its fold not to modify its teaching to appease dissenters, even assuming that this were possible"
Some 'dissenters' were proven right ergo the Church then had to modify its teaching. History and St. Thomas Aquinas prove you wrong. You do the Church no favours. You defend an exclusive Church.
Jesus took on the two most powerful INSTITUTIONS of his time - The ROMAN EMPIRE and THE JEWISH RELIGION.
The Governor Pontius Pilate had the power to destroy the body but washed his hands when his temporal power was defied by Jesus. The High Priest Caiaphas could declare that Jesus’ teachings or his life was not in conformity with the Jewish religious texts and therefore, could bring accusations of blasphemy and thereby have him executed.
Caiphas could not wash his hands because JESUS was making his religious group irrelevant with his teachings, sermons and through his disciples. They bring in the religious laws and interpret them according to their understanding or convenience. They threaten, they insult, they disparage Him, but JESUS stands SUPREME AND ALONE, despite all the physical limitations!
So even Jesus acted on his agenda to serve His Father's will as a single individual ! Jesus only had SPIRITUAL POWER. From beginning to end. He changed the pre-existing laws of retribution to those of COMPASSION and SACRIFICE and Christianity was born.
Would anyone recognize Jesus were He to walk this Earth again?
Your John Cornwell is no historian, his theories in that novel he has written and that you consider as some sort of revelation have been destroyed piece by piece by REAL historians. the author himself has retracted many of his theories. As Your Cornwell has always failed to produce a single piece of paper as evidence to an extent that a Jewish conservative rabbi David G Dalin has written a book to counter Cornwell's ridiculous theories
Please Don't mistake novels for history.
But then the church is a power house and of course power doers not allow dissent from the establishment. It doesn't mean that the Church is right.
"True Christianity has very little to do with the establishment ".
In this case the " establishment " is the Catholic church, the Catholic religion, the Pope,bishops and his superiors. A priest just has to obey his "establishment " The vow he took in joining the order was a vow of obdience and he is not giveing any sign that he is fulfilling his vows. We see no obdience just plain arrogance.
If he now thinks that he has grown above the " establishment " he should leave.
I am certain that Fr Montebello would not thank you for your: "Above the State there is NOTHING and NOBODY !!!". That statement befits an atheist secularist - and I am certain that Fr Montebello would not like to be included in that category!
What is wrong that a priest takes the church to task on certain materials.?
Let us not hide our heads in the sand and believe that issues like pedophilia within the church in Malta does not excist or excisted.
Or confuse sexual behavior with sex orientation.
After all the Inquisition, I believe was started by the Dominicans.
The curia is not above the church. However in this case freedom of expression has nothing to do with the Freedom of expression " as expressed in the constitution of Malta."
Here we are referring to the teaching of the catholic church and the constitution plays no part in it. While still a priest Fr Mark has to obey the rules of the order which he freely joined.
If his wants to exercise his freedom of speech and challenge the teaching of the catholic church and the right to disobey the Pope and the bishop he should leave the order. As it is by using " his freedom of speech " as you put it , he is only making a sorry spectacle of himself.
No one is disputing Fr Montebello’s civil right to express any opinion whatsoever – he is doing it all the time provocatively and outrageously. What you must not assume is that additionally he is immune from ecclesiastical sanctions because of the civil right to freedom of expression. He is knowingly bringing down on his head the criticism of his superiors in a Church to which he has voluntarily sworn obedience. Even a club member is supposed to abide by the club rules or be admonished or expelled. You are pretending that he should have the cake and eat it!
P.S. Wrong assumptions are not surprising from someone who assumes that all Dr are lawyers.
Your comments reflect exactly the church's mentality and unfortunately, because of this mentality, many people are dissociating themselves from the church! And who can blame them? No-one!
You say, 'his shows of disrespect' .. but why? Because he expressed his opinion on the matter? If someone expresses his/her opinion and is not like yours, you think that that someone is disrespecting you? If that's the case, you have a serious problem my friend - just like the church!
The way you've put it, seems like because of what Fr. Mark said, he should be executed! Is this the way to move forward? Is this what God wants from us? I don't think so! What he said makes sense, a lot of sense. Because true - it's not a nice thing that the Holy Cross has been removed - however, IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD as long as we keep the Holy Cross in our hearts.
One last thing .. I spent years without going to church. Once I went to Fr. Mark's Mass and thanks to him and his unique way of preaching, I am close to God once again. Thanks Fr. Mark - KEEP IT UP.
Above the State there is NOTHING and NOBODY !!!
If the Curia, via the Domenican Community, bars Fr Mark Montebello from expressing his views / opinion freely, then it is breaking Protection of freedom of expression as expressed in the Constitution of the Republic of Malta.
Is the Curia above the Law ???
As a Lawyer Dr Saliba you should KNOW !!!
Really great way of looking at the Catholic Church! Compared to an army...haha! Infact, apparently it's exactly how it's expected to be....DO AS I SAY or else you are in trouble! 'The Church teachings are not there to be twisted' - maybe not, BUT shouldn't the church be more open minded and move on with time as is everything in life? They're using the same philosophies of ages ago! And then complain how come the new generation is against church and its teachings!
It's all nonsense. I am not one to agree with every word Fr. Mark says...but one thing I know for sure...ten years ago it took ONE phrase from ONE priest to keep me 8 years out of church, and to my surprise, thanks to FR. MARK, I found God again in my heart and in my life!
Thanks & Keep it up Fr. Mark!
Christ did not recommend that anyone should commit suicide by drowning. He said that the fate of those who gave scandal would be worse than that of anyone who committed suicide by jumping into the sea with a millstone round his neck.
I was not implying anything. I was just quoting what Christ said in the Bible. Fr Mark is surly not giving a good example by his actions.
Amen!
yes, all religious symbols should be removed from public places. is it so hard to understand that it s not true that
religions are bringing peace on this planet? everyone should be free to practice any religion he want, but privately or
in their respective churches or temples. if fr mark's remarks are offending some people, i cant see why the church is
not understanding why some other people are offended with crusifix or other symbols in public places
Fr.M.Montebello as a priest must follow the church thoughts and teachings with respect towards the tradition, the scriptures and the Magisterium....you can not believe in what the church teaches but yet you cannot say the Christ and the Church are opposite poles...ites easy to attack the Church in her weak points using a so powerful medium....Fr.Mark must also stay to what the Church says if he is part of it....if you're not don't place your nose in things you don't understand
Yet last time you didn't even want to read any of the links I posted for you
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the
inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in
the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of
darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost
children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious
anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know
my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."
"It does not aim to be popular because its mission is to attract dissenters back to its fold not to modify its teaching to appease dissenters, even assuming that this were possible"
Are you sure the Church never 'modified' its teaching? Perhaps the Dominican St.Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica is wasted on you. Eg. The Church had to modify its teaching that in humans the male is the sole procreator when it came to light that females possess ovaries and ova. That is one instance where through the writings of a Dominican, reason guided faith and the Church had to modify its teaching with all the implications. In this case, specifically that there was more to women than being empty vessles. That must have been a heavy blow for some purists to accept then I am sure.
Are you implying that Fr Montebello should tie a rock around his neck and drown? Oh how I love Christian values!
1) Taking an oath to the Church, and that of obiedience is Breaking the First Commandment, and that is to Obey and Love God ONLY;
2) The Church and Christ are two opposing poles. Christ says one thing, and the Church does another;
3) Mark Montebello should read the Bible without the utter confusion that the Church Magisterum proposes, (breaking yet Commandments)
Ephesians: 5:6
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
2 Thessalonians
2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of the Destroyer;
2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (the Holy Father).
Keep it up Fr. Montebello
My friend, may I suggest it’s hard to say "open mind" and "I will never agree" in the same breathe and maintain clarity and credibility?
@all
The majority of these comments and FM's only strengthens the logic of secularism. If there is this much disagreement within one church, just imagine the disagreement among all religions and the sects within them.
You accuse Fr Montebello of being a narcissist. What are your professional qualifications and on what grounds do you make such a personal attack disguised as a clinical opinion.
Fr Montebello deserves an apology.
He has always distingished himself as stating courageus, honest, iviews which do not chime well with the monolithic etsablishment. Most of his critics probably would have welcomed the views of persecutred dissidents in the time of the USSR but seem reluctant to welcome independent and fresh thinking when it comes to other insitutions.
To all bloggers kindly show respect in your comments, who are we to pass any judegement?.
thanks
Ghalkemm hija xi haga stramba li certu kritika hija gejja minn religjus, zgur hemm ohrajn li jahsbuha bhalu... Kemm minn fost ir-religjuzi kif ukoll fost l-poplu inklus dawk Insara.
But more and more people don’t want to be brainwashed and controlled any more and more priests like Frank Montebello are now coming to the fore world wide. That’s what makes him interesting to modern Catholics and abhorred by the establishment.
People who think that the church hierarchy is going to allow this type of priest to speak his conscience have not learned the lessons of history.
The Vatican was even prepared to sign a concordat with Hitler to suppress the freedom of German Bishops and bring them under the absolute and total control of the Vatican.
“Hitler’s Pope” by John Cornwell has many of the Vatican’s own documented details and references to this issue.
It is not, and never was, sinful to just say what is on your mind. However when you are a priest you hve to weigh your words before you utter them. Why is it that it is always the same people who either have a chip on their shoulders or are against the church who agree with Fr. Mark? Could it be that in Fr Mark they see someone who thinks like them?
You portray yourself as a "Big one" . I can assure you that although I refered to church followers as " little ones" I have anything but a closed mind. I do " study, listen ,learn and absorb. That is why Fr Mark's pathetic shows leave me cold. I am not easily impressed..
Fr Mark is doing a disservice to the church . If he thinks that he cannot obey or follow the teaching of his bishop or superiors I repeat he should leave the priesthood. As things stand he is only doing harm and a show of himself. My "open mind " will never let me agree with Fr Mark.
The problem of the crucifix in schoolrooms did not exist in Christ’s time and it is ridiculous to expect that he would have discussed it with his disciples. The problem has been raised now and His Church is the nearest thing we have got nowadays to advise us about the prudence or imprudence of removing the crucifix from classrooms. That official attitude is worthy of acceptance by the faithful much more than that of a rebellious priest. The Church is not deliberately “aiming for unpopularity”. It is only taking decisions that it deems to be correct even if they are unpopular.
way ?. May I comment to Fr. Mark as a Christian Catholic who believes that Fr. Mark is also part of the Church. Please re think your position. Remember the well known Maltese wisdom " Min jittarraf jiggarraf. "
Excuse me, if you portray yourself as 'the little one', then I am sorry, there is something wrong with you. Perhaps, you need to open your mind, and learn, study, listen, absorb!
@_Joseph_Seisun
IF_we_remove_the_crucifix_from_our_classrooms, religious artefacts from the streets and there’ll be no more religious celebrations in public we will still be free to think and live a life according to the teachings of Christ. If one covers their entire home with religious artefacts and doesn’t live a good life their soul would not be saved. If one is totally against the propagation of religious symbols but lives a good spiritual life their soul will be saved.
Getting on a bus with religious slogans like ‘Verbum Dei Caro Factum Est.’ etc. doesn’t guarantee us a safer ride; it just goes to show that some of us live in religious ignorance.
Our own church, in spite of its conservative nature, had over the years done away with a lot of traditional religious symbols, manifestations and rituals that were only the symbolic remnants which were inherited by the old Christians from paganism. Our clergy had put away its dog collar to wear a tie and tal MUSEUM stopped shaving their heads.
Am I in favour of removing the crucifix from our classrooms? No I am not but please let’s keep things in their proper perspective.
I have to agree with you that the Church does not aim to be popular and if there is one thing that the church is doing successfully is that be unpopular. When disciples disagreed did Jesus Christ told them to hang a crucifix in every class room and in every public building? It’s not about the teachings of Christ here it’s about the teachings of the Church in Malta and if they keep going like this well soon reach what they are aiming for unpopularity just buildings and no followers
and find out for yourself how well the CChurch is doing in once-Catholic Ireland! THESE are the problems that the CChurch needs to face, not some Montebello!
Think before you speak.
Are you joking ???? Political priests???? Where were you Mr. Camilleri in the 60’s? when Archbishop Gonzi made it a mortal sin to vote for the MLP do you think that started what you called the traditional anti clerical ???
The Dominican Province is right in stopping Fr Mark Montebello. Fr.Mark just likes to speak his mind ,just like a spoilt child,he likes to be a rebel. He must realize that nobody forced him to become a priest, however once he chose to be one he must obey the rules of the church.
His writings and TV apperances only serve to get somthing like your contribution, which is clearly against the church. His "job" is to pull people to the church, not the opposite.
@Joseph Caruana.
You wish him to go on in his way "even if he had to be excommunicated ". We are taught that God said " It is better for the person who scandalize the little ones to tie a rock around his neck and drown ". We are the little ones who want ot follow the teaching of the church.
Fr Mark Montebello is not giving a good example. It would be a different matter if he were a lay person, but he is not, he is a priest and he should behave like one.or else leave the priesthood he cant have it both ways.
Fr Mark Montebello: will be admired when his soul was for long reunited with our Lord.
I suggest to all kind people like Fr.Montebello to be more explicate when coming to teach other’s.
Or you may experience the same adventure of Giordano Bruno, in our modern style.
May God be with you
I repeat: I rarely ever agreed with Montebello's writings and beliefs, but to 'silence' him and to make him a scapegoat ... expiation and that kind of thing, I am sorry, to me, this is evil. Many comments being expressed against him, all come from the fact that the commentators don't agree with what he stands for, with what he says. There are too many religious people who do nothing, sit in the corner within the safety of their convents and are never guilty of having trasngressed. I trust Montebello is not one of them.
Too many condemnations and negative remarks, and I must warn: don't think that you are being perceived as defending the Church.
The Catholic Church is not meant to be a democratic organization. It does not aim to be popular because its mission is to attract dissenters back to its fold not to modify its teaching to appease dissenters, even assuming that this were possible. When disciples of Christ disagreed with what he was saying, he did not accommodate them. He asked them if they too wanted to leave. But being genuine disciples they only asked where could they go if it was He who had the words of life.
If I was a priest in the 60s, then the first thing I would have done was to get out of it. You don't fight something that you are bound to REPRESENT and OBEY. That's hypocritical at best!
I find some of the posts in here pretty offensive. The Church have been helping thousands of people. In Malta alone, many of the schools, elderly's, orphan's and people with special needs homes are owned and run by the Church and there are hundreds of priests and nuns working there day and night. Madre Theresa herself had helped thousands of people without ever critizing the church. You don't have to be the James Dean of society to perform good deeds, quite contrary, Jesus was against such type of people.
Honestly I can't understand why Fr Montebello is still a priest, considering that he seems to constantly clash with the church's teaching and their decisions. I suggest that he should open a new religion himself.
It cannot fail to partecipate and contribute in what is forming the society of which is makes part.
The question at this point is - how many occasions have we thrived for to be knowledgable on important matters so as to be able to discuss these and how much is being done to create duscussion amongst the Maltese Christian community and with the rest of the larger Malta community?
Both stand to loose if this is not done. Such incidents should get us get involved in a responsible way in what is the public debate.
Yet, this does not automatically mean that we have to remove the crucifix from public places. That is also part of our Christian culture. We must look to what is happening in other countries, especially in the USA, where there is a constant attack to eradicate all that is Christian. Inch by inch, they are trying to force Christian communities to do what they have to do secluded within the four walls of their church.
First it may be the crucifix in classrooms. Next all religious artifacts from the streets. Then no more religious celebrations in the public. And all because some one cannot tolerate to see anything or anyone Christian and might get offended!
I believe the Church, under the leadership of Archbishop Cremona, is looking at the long term effect of such a law to remove the crucifix from state classrooms.
There are many things that the Church authorities needs to address. I hope that outdoor feasts is just the beginning.
"Unless I am convicted [convinced] of error by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or councils, since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifest reasoning, I stand convicted [convinced] by the Scriptures to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us. On this I take my stand. I can do no other. God help me."
Perhaps you should have a look at Fr. Joe Borg’s current blog and read some of the articles by Fr. Peter Serracino Inglot before you remark on ‘obedience’
Somehow I associate yourself more with Christ's core values than the whole bombastic and pretentous Church put together
Keep up your sterling work and sincere unselfish opinions.
Worse that could happen is that you get excommunicated. But that would not affect you the least in your spiritual journey.
On the crucifix issue he is consistent in contrast to the rest of the local church, from the Archbishop down. This increasingly discredited institution has been falling over itself to convince us that welcoming people from different cultures/religions/ethnicities is good for us. How we all worship the same god and so on. How 'diversity' makes us strong. How we must be tolerant.
It should now put its money where its mouth is, just like Fr Montebello did, and accept the removal of religious icons from public and official premises. It should also proclaim its stand on such issues as Sharia law which will inevitably gradually become more in demand by the growing Muslim community in Malta.
We are airing so many issues at present that are linked up with traditional religion and custom and muddling them up with our innermost beleifs.
We have the crucifix issue, the censorship issue and the threat of Islam taking over where Christianity left off should it weaken because of internal strife. Malta is between Scylla and Charybdis. On one hand many people would like Malta to be properly secular and on the other the weakening of Christianity could lead to a domination that is at present uninmaginable but there all the same.
Fr Mark's religion, his belief, his writinbgs all indicate that the man is far more real and spiritual than those of his detractors.
For shame
Fr Mark once made a choice freely and according to THAT choice he has to answer and live according to.
Don't comment about things that are beyond you, particularly since you don't agree with Montebello's message. How can you quote vows when you are trying to stifle up someone for expressing himself? Imagine if Montebello was saying things which were according to YOUR beliefs and opinions - you would have jumped up in his defence.
Hypocrisy everywhere!
I would complain with the Vatican about this
the Maltese church does not have to write to stop you, after all what you said is coherent with catholic teaching in general
I already complained to a German parish priest about the way Catholic teachings are thwarted in Malta, he said the Bishop of the respective country has the control over everything that is taught in the respective country, please do address yourself to the Vatican
@ Fr. Mark Montebello,
Isn’t it one of the vows that a monk takes, is the one of OBEDIENCE?
JC.