Cynthia Busuttil
Support for controversial priest grows
Fr Mark Montebello
Scores of e-mails in support of controversial priest Fr Mark Montebello were sent to the Dominican Order in Rome ahead of a meeting with the Head of the Order, The Sunday Times has learnt.
On Friday, Fr Montebello met the head of the Dominican Order, Fr Carlos Aspiroz Costa, in what sources described as "a meeting between brothers".
Although the e-mails showed many Maltese people supported and appreciated Fr Montebello, some had attacked Archbishop Paul Cremona, something that hurt Fr Aspiroz Costa.
"Defending a brother by attacking another was taken as an insult," the sources said.
Fr Montebello was expected to be asked by the Order's Head to tone down his speeches and articles after being called to Rome in a move said to have followed insistence by Mgr Cremona.
The issue revolves around articles Fr Montebello wrote on newspapers about divorce and paedophilia as well as his defence of Nigerian Monday Iseki, 33, who was charged with resisting arrest.
Questions sent to the Curia, asking whether the Archbishop, who is also a Dominican, had insisted the Order take steps against Fr Montebello, remained unanswered.
"The Archbishop does not want Fr Mark's head and neither does the Order. Those who want to see blood should go to a Good Friday pageant," the sources said.
In fact, Fr Costa told Fr Montebello their meeting was "not a trial", the sources said. Fr Montebello was expected to stay in Rome for a few more days, and would be meeting Fr Costa again.
Fr Montebello and Fr Costa had studied together in Rome. During a visit to Malta last April, Fr Costa had visited Dar it-Tama, from where Fr Montebello's prisoners' rights group Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl operates.
Apart from the e-mails, hundreds of people have signed a petition of solidarity with Fr Montebello.
The Maltese priest was disciplined by his local superior last November for "offending the sentiment of the Maltese" after he said he believed Jesus was in favour of divorce and that crucifixes did not need to be "flaunted" in public buildings.
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Joe Azzopardi
Mar 29th 2010, 08:55
Both Fr Montebello and Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl have done a lot of good to many who the rest of the well-thinking and up-right society was happy enough to forget about.
He is right Christ does not need to be flaunted in public places but carried in the hearth and reflected in daily actions.
God be with Fr Montebello.
TBriffa
Mar 28th 2010, 18:31
"A prophet is never welcome in his own home"
We are celebrating the life, death and believed re-awakening of a Man who dared to speak the truth 2000 years ago and was rewarded with capital punishment for his efforts.
These articles about Fr Mark always make me think....
Franco Farrugia
Mar 28th 2010, 18:00
I never liked Montebello's articles or speeches.
That having been said, I suggest to all laymen, including newspapers and journalists, to refrain from putting their noses into the affairs of priests and relgious. Believe me, guys, the things that take place between some religious people is not something that honours the Church. You would be appalled.
Stephen Florian
Mar 28th 2010, 17:02
What's the next step...the inquisition ? Archbishop Cremona and the flock should know better.
It is mainly due to human nature that the Roman Catholic Church is in the sorry state it is today. The truth is unstopable and the deeds are abominable. Fr.Mark takes the role of that uncomfortable voice of true concience which is so unpleasent to listen to when one is so comfortably burried under a blanket of hypocricy. But then again, it is only customary to crucify people like him...in whose name ?
Andrew Pisani
Mar 28th 2010, 14:20
Keep it up Fr.Mark.
The truth is not always what we want to hear however, you are willing to go against the flow.
j. borg
Mar 28th 2010, 12:38
it seems that archbishop cremona is not all smiles....
keep it up fr. mark!
J. Magro
Mar 28th 2010, 12:31
I support the right of freedom of expression and that there should be no need for such calls. Although I have disagreements on some issues brought forward by Fr. Montebello I respect his work and his positions. That is how human beings should react.
In a democratic society there is room for everyone and everyone has a contribution to make.
The worst thing that can happen is that Government uses only 50% of the human capital as it wants to control the whole process of governance.
DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA
Mar 28th 2010, 12:13
Controversial or otherwise, dear Reverend Mark has every right to enforce his European Convention Article 10 fundamental notion of FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.Our country has ingrained this 1950 Convention,as interpreted by diverse Courts in different countries,in October 1987,37 years later - this country is always 30 to 40 years behind times!In this petty mediocre country of ours,the imposed authorities on the liberal individuals of this otherwise fair isle have made it a habit to shout out and down their presumed authority over other individuals whom these authorities presume will not react and accept the shout out or shout down.This is not to be taken for granted.No one,no matter who is or is not, has any RIGHT to shout down on a presumed subordinate on the almost certainty that there will be no reaction.This rude arrogance demeans the HOOLIGAN SHOUTER.This bad behaviour only shows the gross inferiority complex of the Perpetrator.Fr Mark has EVERY RIGHT to say what he conscientiously believes he has to say,utter or write about: those who oppose him should do likewise if they have the mettle in what chuckles!This abhorrent tendency in our country has to be put definitely to rest!