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.”