I do not always agree with what Fr Mark Montebello says or writes. Sometimes I get the feeling that he wants to be controversial just for the sake of having his name mentioned in the local media. Still, I have a lot of sympathy for him. What I heartily believe is that he really believes in what he says, and being controversial is part of his character.
What I do admire most about him is the way he expresses himself with no notion of having to pay a price for expressing himself so explicitly. That is Fr Mark Montebello. You either love him or hate him – take your pick. What I cannot fathom is why the Church has denied him the right to write religious stuff for six months. It is like a mother grounding a child for daring to voice an opinion.
Surely, before Fr Montebello the priest, the church forgot all about Mark the person, with clear views on anything and anyone. What thoroughly disappointed me about the archbishop’s censorship of Fr Mark’s religious contributions was that Fr Mark was denied the right to speak by his “place of abode” (the Church) while other priests are still allowed to do so.
I thought that the Church should have been neutral about such matter. Why did the archbishop not reprimand other priests? Has democracy been neglected to the extent that people like Fr Montebello should have his lips sealed and his hands cuffed so that he cannot speak or write about the state of the Church simply because he is a priest?
Fr Mark, indeed, is not the only one who has not liked the appointment of the new Pope. Like Fr Mark, I have every right to disagree with the majority. The difference is that I can say it openly. Fr Mark cannot speak his mind.
I understand you, Fr Mark, because here we do not differ – we believe in the freedom of expression. Since when has the liberty of speech been denied to a man of the Church?
Six months, six months and it’s all over. Six wasted months because when his ban is over, the old Mark will return.
Freedom of speech should be denied to nobody.
Valerie Borg
MLP Councilor
VALLETTA