Fr Mark Montebello 'rethinking' his strategy
Controversial Dominican priest Mark Montebello is currently “rethinking his strategy” following a stint in Mexico - to see how he could be more effective.
Last March, Fr Montebello was summoned to Rome for a meeting with the head of the Dominican Order, Fr Carlos Aspiroz Costa, in the wake of some comments he wrote in the newspapers. It was later decided that he should spend some time of reflection in Mexico. He returned to Malta at the beginning of December.
Speaking on Radio Malta this morning in the programme Ghandi x’Nghid, Fr Montebello Mark said he was currently at a crossroad - re-examining his strategy.
He said he had to think about the effectiveness of what he used to do
“I feel I was not being so effective for several reasons. I feel I do need to rethink my strategy to be more effective... I am seeing how I can be equally strong but clearer,” he said.
Fr Mark said that one of the things which bothered him before he left Malta was when people saw him as an enemy of the church.
“How can this be so when I am a member of this church which I love,” he said.
Replying a series of questions by presenter Andrew Azzopardi and others, including TV presenter Peppi Azzopardi, Fr Gorg Dalli, Fr Ray Francalanza and former minister Michael Falzon, Fr Mark said that if there had been people who had wished him ill before he left Malta, they remained disappointed
“I took this opportunity to learn as I take all other opportunities and it has served me well... I still have to make head and tail of it... In its 800 years my order has always sought to be a pioneer, on the frontline. This is a situation which exposes oneself.”
Asked about the archbishop, a fellow Dominican, Fr Mark said he felt there were ties which had curbed a bit of his Dominican spirit.
“I have known him for many years and I know he can be more of a pioneer. But there are institutional and bureaucratic, political forces which are curbing him.”
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Joe Xuereb
Jan 25th 2011, 13:24
@K.Zammit (1day 2hrs.ago). Thank you for saying it like it is, in or out the boxes mattering little. Naturally what we say/do is our responsibility. How our readers interpret us is NOT our responsibility as long as we're not indoctrinating infantiles. Of course some prefer to remain infantile, forever in the molly-coddling box that they're used to for comfort's sake. They are frightened of anythong outside the box so they would censor it. Indeed they've been known to kill it. As you rightly say.
As has been said a million times. We've always got a choice. We can refuse to read. We can read and refute. We can read and offer a reasonable resistance. But shooting straw darts is only an option of the darter is prepared to take the flack. Shutting someone up because their words make one feel uncomfortable is never an option. Provided what is said is not obviously a 'fairytale'. That is the writer's responsibility to decide. And the writer's reader. Circle squared! Spheres cubed! Ah! those boxes!
Joe Xuereb
Jan 25th 2011, 00:19
@P.Pulis. Quote: 'The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself'.
Thanks. That quotation from Rudyard Kipling stands on its own. He's not somebody I've read so I wouldn't know about his imperialistic leanings or otherwise. No matter. I live by THIS quote. If Malta were larger it would be up there with the best of the Empire builders. Malta may be small but it won't be beat. It wants to leave its mark as global beacon to Catholicism. Problem is, I understand Malta also aspires to Global Headquarters of Lateral Thinking, Palace something-or-other, thanks to Prof. De Bono. Two uncomfortable bedfellows there, in conflict. I mean the Palace, and the Beacon.
One may toe the line to keep in with the tribe. But one cannot be too wary of that kind of self-serving smugness. You see, one may stoop and pick up nothing.
Mario Borg
Jan 24th 2011, 23:44
who cares about your strategy. You think yourself of a dissident but you are trapped in your endless contradictions. If you believe so much in what you think the first thing you need to do is distance yourself from your institution.
Edric Micallef Figallo
Jan 24th 2011, 22:53
"Agenda liberali tkun favur id-dritt ta’ l-ghazla, kemm tan-nisa tqal u kemm tal-persuni b’mardiet terminalig tkun favur kull ghamla ta’ zwieg bejn tnejn min-nies; tkun favur l-ghazla tad-dissoluzzjoni taz-zewg; u favur kull kontroll jew tkattir ta’ fertalizzazzjoni.
U tkun favur xi haga jfisser li temmen fiha, thaddanha, tistqarrha, tiddefendiha u tippromoviha." - Mark Montebello - http://www.it-torca.com/news2.asp?artid=5030 - It-Torċa - Is-Sibt 29 ta' Lulju 2006
Is he rethinking his strategy to be a pioneer for the above?
Pule' Carmel
Jan 24th 2011, 13:10
I know that we should never "Hide our lights under a bushel", and I personnaly believe in someone giving me a small torch to see my way through the dark, rather than someone shining his bright headlights at me and blinding me while I am driving quietly back home with my family, stopping and asking me to give a lift to undesireable people. Perhaps if we feel that we have very bright lights, we should divide it in little LED torch lights and give it to people who need assistance rather than using our bright lights to blind and hurt other people's retinas! To be seen better, sometimes we should dim our lights a little because people's retinas can take a particular intensity of light. There are dimmers one can find on the market and believe me in a church, the lights should be different than that of a nightclub, cabarets or eurovision song contests. Many Religious Saints shone their light intensity, just about right, and helped to light out the dark roads to many others. Realy after all, it has to do with our inherent personality, and style of delivery, We are all good in many ways!
DGalea
Jan 24th 2011, 14:33
A religious order is like a club.
Its members are obliged to follow a set of rules and regulations whilst partaking in the rights and privilges that come with such membership.
One is free to join , resign ,join another club full of like-minded individuals, or like a certain Martin Luther, set up his own rival club ,
K Zammit
Jan 24th 2011, 10:59
What I like most about Fr. Mark Montebello is he is not a sheep like most individuals are. He has a mind and a God given brain and he uses it and believes in his opinions. Like some have said earlier in the comments posted Authority is not always right, be it church, government, school, workplace and too many more to mention. Even though I do not agree with all his declarations I admire the fact that he has the .......... to say what he thinks irrespective of whether his superiors approve or not. The world progressed because there were people who dared to challenge authority. Be it saints who stood by what they believed in and got burnt at the stake, be it explorers who defied the septics who told them that their ship would fall off into oblivion when they sailed into the horizon or geniuses who were ridiculed because of their ideas only to be proven right and appreciated after their success materializes. So please all those who are happy with thinking within the box don;t let those who are different upset you, leave them be because the world becomes a better place with their efforts.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 24th 2011, 12:46
Try being a tad more relevant rather than resorting to vague generalisations -"thinking inside and outside boxes" - and labeling people as "sheep". Are you sure you are aware of particular responsibilities which go hand in hand with one's station in life? Are you aware of how particular messages emanating from certain sources are perceived by others? Probably not and you do not seem to care, either!
charles caruana
Jan 24th 2011, 13:51
'Authority is not always right' Agreed, but there are ways and ways, some helpful, some harmful of 'challenging' authority. And you don't have to box yourself in your own authority to think outside the box. Can you imagine a St Dominic participating in some kind of Medieval equivalent of Liquorish? And by the way, Christ had only positive word to say about sheep.
J Farrugia
Jan 24th 2011, 14:02
Both the sheep as well as the wolves will have to face God at the end of their life here on earth and to each will receive HIS JUDGEMENT, not yours. You will also receive your judgement for being cynical. remember: death judgement heaven or hell. These 4 words used to be taught by Dun George Preca and they are called in-Novissmi, and nobody whever he is and how high or low he is, ever laughed at them.
J Farrugia
Jan 24th 2011, 08:16
The only way to rehabilitate himself with the people of God, is to show humility and emulate our national saint Dun George Preca. This holy priest initiated a mission to teach the maltese people about God and the Cathecism of the Catholic Church. Even though his mission was holy and much needed, some priests took offence that laymen were teaching other peoplle about the church. Something which was lacking at that time. They tried to stifle Dun Gorg's works. And persuaded the Archibishop of the time to stop Dun Gorg from his mission. And the Archbishop ordered him to disband this new thing called MUSEUM. Even though Dun Gorg thought himself he was inspired by God to start this mission, HE-NEVER-REBELLED, BUT OBEYED INSTANTLY. And left the thing to God Almighty. He creates things, ideas, etc. and it was God who decided otherwise and all those winds which tried to sweep Dun Gorg were ordered to desist from obstructing Dun George Preca. and it had to be the same Archbishop who called Dun Gorg Preca to continue unobstructed with his MUSEUM opera which even today is still present both in Malta as well as abroad. food for thought .
Mark-Anthony Fenech
Jan 24th 2011, 00:54
@ Andrew Farrugia: Christ was a revolutionary in his time. Revolutionary doesn't necessarily mean a bad thing.. His teachings did go on to establish a new religion so I don't know where your qualms are.
@ DGalea: I am against the pedophile register, for one thing there is the police conduct form which fulfills that role, so I do not see the need to label a person further. Should there be a fraudster's register? Or is pedophilia the buzzword of our time?
Re what Christ would do? Maybe He would ask you to cast the first stone.. But I am not arrogant enough to know what Christ would say..
@ Dr.Francis Saliba: I answered you in a separate post, in conjunction with your other post, it should go up soon.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 24th 2011, 09:22
Coming from someone who harbours strong doubts about God ("if there is such an entity "), it is hardly surprising that you cannot even understand what i wrote.
charles caruana
Jan 24th 2011, 10:52
The great difference that seems to be escaping you is that Christ changed things and started a new religion not by taking the lives of others, but by giving his life for others. A historically loaded word like revolution is inapplicable here, however faddish it might sound to naive ears. The French and Russian revolutions certainly produced change, but also Napoleon and Stalin, and their millions of victims.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 23rd 2011, 20:02
For me, Mark Montebello's hardly more than a name. I've a vague recollection of him as a public cleric(in Malta) with an aura of rebellion. No problem.
He resurfaced in yesterday's Times (22nd Jan.) and I caught up with him today. Read the article and all the comments. He says he's at a crossroads in his life. Sounds to me like here's a man who is constantly at a crossroads, constantly searching and evaluating. If St. Dominic was of the same mould then his Order is indeed an Insitution to be reckoned with. The photograph of Fr. Mark here helps. He strikes me as the kind of guy who looks you straight in the eye when he shoots his words. That's a rare quality today, always has been. Of course an aggressor might do that too but no accolades to the aggressor - not from this one.
My sole contact with a Dominican of the old, cracked mould - during RE at my old Lyceum - made enough sense at the time. It stuck in my mind and has been re-evaluated since. It is too damning, too embarrassing to speak about it. I like to think I'm a reasonable man.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 23rd 2011, 19:57
@Mark-Anthony Fenech.
God is perfectly capable of acting through rebels, for example using the Protestant Reformers to bring about a much-needed Counter Reformation. In our particular case, it is very alarming that those who question the very existence of God (“ …if there is such an entity …”) feature so prominently in the forefront among those who spur Fr. Montebello on, to persist in his former “strategy” and not to “rethink” a questionable method that had proved to be offensive to the flock and objectionable to his superiors in Christ.
Fr. Montebello is a very intelligent person. His decision to rethink his former strategy is a wise one and a most welcome one. Comments from those who question the existence of God, and who cannot therefore have any genuine interest to promote his Church, should convince him of the urgent need to persist and intensify in his rethinking.
DGalea
Jan 23rd 2011, 19:23
Wannabe Martin Luthers should remember that Pride goeth before a fall and monks like nuns, are obliged to take the vow of obedience.
P.Pulis
Jan 23rd 2011, 19:52
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."
~Rudyard Kipling ~
charles caruana
Jan 23rd 2011, 20:38
Is this the same Rudyard Kipling who was a good storyteller but a fervent imperialist? Imperialists are quite good at maintaining their individuality, but hardly give a damn about the individuality of their colonial subjects.
Mark-Anthony Fenech
Jan 23rd 2011, 17:59
Jesus Christ was pretty rebellious during his time, the way he challenged the authorities of his time; the Pharisees, the Elders etc.. He was considered so dangerous that he was crucified.. So in being a rebel, in challenging the authorities and calling a spade a spade, one may see God, if there is such an entity, acting through Fr.Mark Montebello.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 23rd 2011, 18:27
You will soon be telling us that Jesus Christ was a revolutionary, who preached communism or socialism or any other form of -ism! To be sure, we have heard such nonsense before, as in the blasphemous comparisons with Guevara, etc. ! But that was way back in the 60s!
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 23rd 2011, 19:03
There is one thing wrong with your argument. Christ himself was THE authority - not the Pharises, not the Saducees, not the Herodians etc who did not even recognize that the Messiah was already among them. There is no logical comparison between Christ and Fr Montebello.
DGalea
Jan 23rd 2011, 19:19
Do you think that if Jesus lived today he would appear on a popular tv program on a private channel and minimize and trivialise child abuse and condem the setting up of the pedophile register?
joanna farrugia
Jan 23rd 2011, 17:59
I think you are forgetting your vow of obedience, Fr Montebello. It was possible for the saints to achieve their goals even under the strict obedience and humility they adhered to. I don't see any obedience and humility in your arrogant words. You are simply calling attention to yourself in my opinion. Perhaps you need to pray much more and rethink a bit further and talk a bit less.
Christian Sciberras
Jan 24th 2011, 09:54
How is someone expressing his opinions, arrogant?
On the other hand, someone, such as you, forcing someone else to remain silent, IS arrogant.
Joanna Farrugia
Jan 24th 2011, 18:24
@Christian Sciberras I never said Fr Montebello is arrogant for expressing his opinions. It is the way he expresses them and his choice of words that is arrogant. Neither am I 'forcing' Fr Montebello to 'remain silent'. I am merely commenting upon his supposed vow of obedience which he himself took upon himself as part of his vocation. It is certainly not I who imposed anything on him but he himself did.
Christian Sciberras
Feb 17th 2011, 22:57
Nice play on the words, but that won't work with me, sorry:
"I never said Fr Montebello is arrogant" => "your arrogant words" - for how can someone utter arrogant words without being arrogant? Unless you're telling us that words (hence language) are to blame?
As to his vow, you just made that up - there's no rule which states that Catholics (priests, whatever) can have any opinions at all.
And since it's only you that is making up these accusations, it's you that is "forcing" him to remain silent.
charles caruana
Jan 23rd 2011, 16:30
Perhaps Fr Montebello might try the time tested strategy of the Saints, applicable to all Catholics, whether they be lay or clerical. He would I’m sure teach me that among the major features of this saintly strategy are:
Humility.
Unswerving love and loyalty to the Church even when its best sons are treated unjustly by said holy and sinful Church, whether deliberately or inadvertently. They know that ultimately God will justify their truth.
Self sacrifice – and not just in terms of the heroic readiness for physical martyrdom, but the more prosaic though equally necessary sacrifice of idiosyncratic and personal opinion and convictions, when these clash with fundamental Church teachings, such as the existence of purgatory.
Self- effacement - A priest, in his pastoral and public action, represents Christ and His Church, not himself.
Prudence , especially in the constant care not to give scandal, since all saints paid absolute heed to Christ’s warning about the dire consequences for all those who scandalise the little ones in faith
I wish Fr Montebello a successful strategy, irrespective of whether he and the archbishop share the Dominican pioneering spirit or not. More than pioneers, what we sinners desperately need are saints.
Karl Consiglio
Jan 23rd 2011, 13:34
This guy rocks!
Portelli James
Jan 23rd 2011, 13:09
Respectfully, most of the readers' contributions remind me of St. Paul's exhortation in this Sunday's 2nd reading.
The church does not belong to Fr. Mark, or to his Dominican superiors, or to the Bishops of Malta. I am more than certain that each of these persons understands this with all humility. My question is, "Do we as Christians in Malta understand this?" If we had to synthesize all the commandments into one commandment we are left with one fundamental duty, i.e. to love one another; which in most circumstances translates into respect. What is so wrong with a priest reflecting on how to better serve in his calling? Why can't some of us accept this statement simply for what it is? Is any one among us so perfect that we have a right to cast stones?
Why don’t we reflect on this and leave judgement to God? After all, it is His and His alone.
DGalea
Jan 23rd 2011, 13:04
What is of relevance ?The singer or the song?
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 23rd 2011, 17:36
Both. Nessun Dorma sung by Pavarotti is highly relevant - sung by me it is best forgotten.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 23rd 2011, 12:57
Welcome back Fr Mark you were sorely missed, whatever some holier than thou people might think of you.
Hope your rethinking wouldn't mean watering down your criticism of all that is wrong in Malta.
Alex Ciantar
Jan 23rd 2011, 11:50
We certainly need more people like Fr Montebello in this country that are not scared to speak up
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 23rd 2011, 11:14
Christ taught that we are to judge a tree by its fruit. Fr Montebello’s honest and genuine concern for the underdog as expressed up to now in the media has undeniably produced some very bitter fruit evidenced by its abusive use by the ungodly and the anti-religious to harm the Church. I agree fully with Fr. Montebello’s decision to “rethink his strategy”. I anxiously wait for a better and less controversial care of the Lord’s flock and his vineyard.
MARGARET RICHARDS
Jan 23rd 2011, 10:38
SEEMS AS IF THERE ARE A LOT OF HOLIER THAN THOU FREAKS WRITING IN THESE BLOGS, WHO'S SENSE OF INTOLERANCE AND HIGH & MIGHTY ATTITUDES DO NOT REFLECT A CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE. BUT THIS IS OBVIOUS - THEY ARE THE TYPICAL WHITED SEPULCHERS. I BELIEVE IN GOD BUT I HAVE LONG SINCE STOPPED BELIEVING IN THE FREAKING CHURCH.THE CHURCH IS THERE TO SHOW ITS POWER & STRENGTH & TO HUMILIATE PEOPLE. THERE WAS JUST ONE PERSON WHO I ADMIRED AS HE WAS A REAL CHRISTIAN THRU' & THRU' - BUT IRONICALLY HE WAS DONE AWAY WITH AFTER 33 DAYS OF HIS PAPACY. PAPA LUCIANI!!! ALL THOSE WHO ANTAGONIZE THE CHURCH IN 1 WAY OR ANOTHER ARE SIMPLE TONED DOWN THRU' THE DISCREET METHODS OF THE HIGH & MIGHT RC CHURCH.WHY DON'T YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE FINANCES OF THE VATICAN, THE SCANDALS & THE FACT THAT THE VATICAN BANK ASSETS HAVE BEEN FROZEN. LONG MAY IT LAST. FROZEN HEARTS, FROZEN MINDS OF THE CHURCH = FROZEN ATTITUDES FROM THE PEOPLE!!!THE CHURCH SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF ITSELF!!!
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 23rd 2011, 10:55
@ Margaret Richards.
If you press the "Caps Lock" key again you will be able to submit comments in traditional Upper Case/ Lower case mode, and consequently your comment would become more readable and less stressful on eyes and brain.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 23rd 2011, 10:57
Do you actually need to SCREAM so much in order to hurl insults at others!
DGalea
Jan 24th 2011, 15:19
If you do not shout so much , you might actually hear what others have to say.
Dr Francis Saliba
Jan 23rd 2011, 09:41
We should assume that Fr Montebello intends to rethink his method of conveying his honestly held convictions in a less abrasive manner so as not to antagonize his Catholic audience and his superiors - a reaction that would be needlessly counterproductive and would be pounced upon by the antireligious for their nefarious agenda. This has happened regularly in the past.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 22nd 2011, 20:36
" I feel i do need to rethink my strategy ...." STRATEGY? As a member of the Church you have ONE mission, ONE message to convey, which is the word of the Lord. If you want strategy, leave the Church and become a politician, which you think you are , anyway!
Joseph Abela
Jan 22nd 2011, 22:35
Ah, Mr Andrew Farrugia, the constant militiaman the Church in Malta has, always coming to the aid of the ecclesia mater, to defend her without knowing what you are defending in reality. Have you ever heard Fr Mark during Mass? No, I suppose not.
Andrew Farrugia
Jan 23rd 2011, 10:32
@ Mr J Abela
Ha! The usual writer of what is irrelevant and dispenser of offensive epithets. For your information, when i go to Mass i am interested in the word of God. I have no time for modern day quacks!
c.zammit
Jan 22nd 2011, 20:09
Ghal xi whud il-wasla lura ta' Patri Mark hija ikkonsidrata bhala il-migja tal-anti-krist u għal oħrajn bhala il-migja tal-Messija. Kull minghand u rasu fuq ghonqu jiddeċidi huwa u mhux jkun impressjonat bil-kummenti vojta ta xi whud.
F.Williams
Jan 22nd 2011, 17:09
I do not always with Fr.Mark but I do see in him the relentless revolutionary spirit of St.Dominic. The order had many Saints and personalities and not all were in the direct line of the church like Savonarola once persecuted and eventually wrongly condemned to death for his philosophy.
j micallef
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:56
A huge welcome to you Fr.Mark. You have been alone within the church in Malta to crusade against those who are really downtrodden and the hopelessly helpless. You have paid by your temporary exile for your audacity to challenge The Sytem and the untouchable august institutions in Malta. You are the only one who really reminds me of Christ's mission on earth to remove the shackles of human slavery. You have shown you have the courage and the mettle to fearlessly stand up for the weak even against the crushing steam-rolling cogwheels of state and other entities. Many are those who have placed there only hope in you to be the catalyst of change. Good luck - believe me, you need it!
C.N.AQUILINA
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:38
MELA MORT GĦALXEJN IL-BRAŻIL GĦAX MA TGĦALLIMT XEJN.
L-ISTRATEĠIJA TEĦODHA MINN GĦAND IS-SUPERJURI ECCLESJASTIĊI TIEGĦEK, U MHUX TIVVINTAHA INTI SUR-SUR PATRI.
MINN IKUN PRUŻUNTUS JAGĦMEL DAWN L-AFFARIJIET.
BĦALA INSARA U IKTAR U IKTAR BĦALA SAĊERDOT IRRIDU NOQGĦODU GĦALL DAK LI TGĦID IL-KNISJA U MHUX NAQBDU U INPASSPRU DAK LI JFETLILNA,U DAK LI NOĦOLMU, GĦAX DIK TIĠI PROŻUNZJONI.
KIEKU KONT TILGĦAB iL-FOOTBAL TAJJEB ANKE DAQS PELE, ŻGUR LI L-EBDA TEAM MA JKUN JIXTIEQEK MIEGĦU, GĦAX MA JIRBAĦAX LOGĦOBA WAĦDA BIK.
U INTI TIBQA TILGĦAB IL-LOGĦBA WAĦDEK! BRAVU!
Lorry Borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 17:38
Pele - Brazil - forsi tfixkilt sieheb... imma Patri Montebello ntbaghat il-Messiku.
Bir-ragunament tieghek - li hu car li hu mmotivat mill-genwinita' - S. Frangisk ma kien jaghmel xejn...
Oqghod attent, l-Ispirtu s-Santu jista' jitkellem minn fomm il-Papa (ghad li mhux minn fomm KULL Papa) u jista' jitkellem minn fomm ohrajn, uhud patri u membri tal-ordnijiet monastici, uhud lajci u zghar...
Alla hu kbir wisq ghal mohh il-bniedem... l-umilta' titlob li ma nkunux rigidi, imma nkunu b'ghajnejna u mohhna miftuhin il-hin kollu...
Sliem.
M.Cachia
Jan 22nd 2011, 17:49
The fact you said he went to Brazil shows how much you actually read the article, which in turn shows how seriously we should take your comments.
Oh - and don't shout, it's rude!
john hili
Jan 23rd 2011, 16:59
L-umilta tixghel fik. Nies bhalek trid fi hdana il Knisja halli iktar tigbed fidili u injoranti lejja. Hallina man !!!!!!!
Sabrina Borda
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:19
Dear Father Mark,
I am sure that you will indeed find the answers to your questions crucial in working out your values and collect the intellectual strength to take a stand for what you believe in, in that fundamentally form who you are. Every single person needs time out for serious reflection away from prejudices that control the heart.
Welcome back home.
m borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 15:41
There are some people who love being in the limelight and whose ego seems to be their top most priority.
Fr. Montebello refers to his strategy; the strategy to do what? What is his objective?
J Borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:05
guess living the true spirit of God's unconditional love, rather than seeking to please his supposedly earthly 'superiors' and their charades....
Marton Saliba
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:16
Why don't you get off your seat and figure out? Fr. Mark doesn't go in the Limelight, theLimelight follows him.
You should listen to his sermons, then you'll realize.
Welcome back Father Montabello, you're a light in the darkness that shrouds humanity, locally and beyond.
m borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:35
@ J Borg Your comment “rather than seeking to please his supposedly earthly 'superiors' and their charades....” is interesting and if anything confirms that there is reason to be concerned.
J Borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 18:10
...put it this way...
where do you really feel/see God?
In elaborate expensive church decorations and pagents? hanging crosses? in institutionalised establishment? OR
In sharing and effectively aiding the plight of who is outcasted, persecuted, victimised?
In truth - it takes much more than flashy smiles, to be of effective service and help!
m borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 19:01
@ J Borg
I most certainly do not see God in the way Fr. Montebello acts the rebel. In the many instances he challenged authority, he gained little or nothing in terms of helping the victimised but a great deal in terms of media space.
Coming back to my original question: what exactly is his objective when he acts the rebel?
J. Borg
Jan 23rd 2011, 14:36
not beating about the bush and saying the crude truth may sound like a rebel for some - especially those comfortable in their position within the status quo.....
and as for helping the victimised....guess you must be doing your own fair share, if you deem that his efforts to raise awareness and live through individuals' experiences, can be so discounted.
Mark-Anthony Fenech
Jan 23rd 2011, 14:41
Jesus Christ was pretty rebellious during his time, the way he challenged the authorities of his time; the Pharisses, the Elders etc.. He was considered so dangerous that he was crucified.. So in being a rebel, in challenging the authorities and calling a spade a spade, one may see God, if there is such an entity, acting through Fr.Mark Montebello.
Leo Bartolo
Jan 22nd 2011, 15:02
Welcome back Fr Mark.
Joseph Calleja
Jan 22nd 2011, 14:52
Fr Montebello I admire you because you are not afraid to challenge authority. Authority is not always right, and we don't have to jump every time they snap their fingers not any more. That includes the government and or the church. You cannot learn unless you ask questions. I admit there is a time and a place and it seems that the time is here and now. Good luck with your future. Don't stop fighting for what you believe.
Fr.John Caruana
Jan 22nd 2011, 13:38
On Controversy Within the Church:
On Fr.Mark Montebello´s "dilemma" - thinking a new strategy - I like to put some points: of a priest who is not an intelectual but deeply respects the intellectuals, who never was in authoirty but always respected those who carry this necessary burden, and who like Fr.Montebello always loved the Church - which love today in my 44thyear , equals love of a newly ordained priest.
1. I never denied anything but I always preached the new thinking. .(This I always suggested to my now deceased friend Fr.Philip Demarco way back during our homilies in St.Julian´s - and it worked)
2. When the controversy gets very hot and beyond you to contain, I was told to - "to criticise my bishop internally and back him publicly". And it worked. Till today I served under 10 bisops.
3. Serving within an instituion you have advantages and limiations - I was always aware of this and accepted the fact.
4. My point of departure was always the Church´s teaching so that my internal criticism and my public position had a strong and unquestionable basis.
5. As a result I feel that I was always true to myself.
J. Borg
Jan 22nd 2011, 14:30
maybe that is why the church striving to protect itself as an institution has somehow stumbled on for 2000 years.....
but failed to effectively remain in touch with the daily lives and realities of ordinary but reasonable people.
Joseph N Attard
Jan 22nd 2011, 13:32
There comes a time in every person's life when he stops to have a hard inward look at himself. The extent of how profound and sincere that inward look is would determine the rest of his life.
FB Aquilina
Jan 22nd 2011, 13:30
Dear Fr Mark what about re-discovering the spirituality of your Order? Your Order gave the Church brilliant theologians, witness your Founder - St. Dominic, St Albert the Great, St. Thomas Aquinas - to name a few. Why not spend some time reading and reflecting upon the lives and works of these great saints? May the words of the Angelic Doctor kindle in our hearts the fervour of the Apostles and Martyrs!
David Caruana
Jan 22nd 2011, 14:09
I strongly believe he does so every day.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 22nd 2011, 13:29
Good luck to you outspoken one. I hope that "manipulation" will not subdue or ruin your fighting spirit. Some people simply haven't got it in them and can turn jealous or feel threatened by thier very own insecurities. Maybe oneday we can have a good chat together too, who knows !!
God bless you and good luck, Fr. Mark Montebello. Keep at it, good man.
Jesmond Micallef
Jan 22nd 2011, 14:04
Furthermore, but don't ever forget that there is also God's will in you !!
Ccharles Massa
Jan 22nd 2011, 13:09
Lil fr Montebllo eziljawh ghax jghid il verita u anki jikiritika l gvern. Ara certu qassisin li ghandhom artiklu f certi gazzetti u jfahru l gvern dawn jibqu jirrenjaw. Ghal knisja two weights two measures
Joseph M. Scicluna
Jan 22nd 2011, 16:05
Mela qatt ma ftaht gazzetti pro PL u taqra certi klerici x'jiktbu? Dawn qatt ma gew eziljati. U iva, din wahda minn tas-soltu - nippoliticizzaw kollox.
Joseph M.Scicluna
Jan 22nd 2011, 12:52
It never crosses my mind that a true Roman Catholic person can wish Fr Mark anything "ill".
However, I can understand what he really feels by being transferred to Mexico spending some time of "reflection"!
I do not consider myself competent to suggest anything to the learned Fr Mark but as a layman, and from my personal perspective, I wish that Fr Mark expresses his comments in a way that everyone can decipher his thoughts quite easily. I am writing this since I was always quite amused and pleased when hearing Fr Mark's homily during Sunday Mass. It was always down to earth, so I am sure Fr Mark can rectify his way of expressing his noble thoughts without landing him in trouble with his superiors.
g.sinagra
Jan 22nd 2011, 12:14
My humble advice to Rev.Mark Montebello is to put a transfer request to the Salesians of Don Bosco. After all Don Bosco did experience some doubt from Rome in his mission.
G. Mangion
Jan 22nd 2011, 11:46
Fr Mark said that if there had been people who had wished him ill before he left Malta, they remained disappointed
Fr Mark Montebello, We Roman Chatolics especially a Priest should be mercifull for those who us ill, words like this Sting and if you were unpopular before you are not goinig to gain noting by speaking this way no ??? Good luck and may your thinking be the best ........
David Caruana
Jan 22nd 2011, 13:28
Where on earth do you sense any "sting" in his words?!
Where you by any chance one of those mentioned and that's why such comment irked you so much?
G. Mangion
Jan 22nd 2011, 17:44
@David Caruana
I feel STING's in his words yes indeed and if you have not well my dear friend that is your Problem, and a very BIG one too. for your Iformation no I never even met this so called Priest
and I have no intention to do so ! But again Yes there are Hundreds of Families which have been irked no ??? We all know how stubborn & arrog he can be... maybe he need's another holiday too...........
David Caruana
Jan 22nd 2011, 18:08
There you go... the truth has finally surfaced :
"so called Priest"
"I have no intention to (meet him)"
"stubborn"
"arrog(ant)"
"he need's another holiday"
Why all this hate?
G.Mangion
Jan 22nd 2011, 18:45
David Caruana thank You for reapitng my comment so I qoute only your last for words: (Why all this hate?)
Do not mix gas mal hass,
I dont hate no one belief it or not, but it seems that I am not for the priest is that Hate Wrong David Wrong, you cannot even understand my comment in simple words. Full Stop.
isabelle luca borg
Jan 24th 2011, 13:16
@Mangion...yeah well maybe if you start writing in good and understandable English we'd be able to understand you...
Charles Sammut
Jan 22nd 2011, 11:18
"In its 800 years my order has always sought to be a pioneer, on the frontline. "
True indeed. For example, the Dominicans were the pioneers of the (un)Holy Inquisition. They must be so proud of it, having upheld the material interests of the Catholic Church by all means fair and foul. After all the end justified the means.
And who is running Radju Malta? The Curia?