In what was probably a reaction to comments given by philosophers after it was announced that Far-Right group leader Norman Lowell was to give a lecture on philosophy in an activity of the Philosophy Sharing Foundation, Fr Mark Montebello was very much on the defensive when he introduced the controversial politician before the latter’s talk.

The Malta Independent on Sunday had carried comments made by members of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Malta, Dr Jean-Paul De Lucca and Prof Michael Zammit, after the foundation had publicized Mr Lowell’s lecture on the philosophy of Nietzsche.

Dr De Lucca had said he was “baffled” and that he has no idea why Mr Lowell had been chosen, “other than the fact that they might have thought of it as ‘provocative’ or ‘controversial’ in the shallowest sense of the terms.”

Prof Zammit had taken an even harsher tone, saying he was “shocked” and “insulted”, and that he “cannot fathom why ‘Philosophy Sharing’ would even contemplate this dark association” with what he went on to call “the shameless and uncouth public persona of Mr Lowell and his dismal drivel”.

This criticism pushed Fr Montebello to start off the event with a detailed disclaimer, saying that the foundation “cannot agree with any form of racism, intolerance or disrespect”, nor can it endorse any “political position or policy which is based on some racist or discriminatory premise.”

Fr Montebello said that while, some of the Foundation “may not agree with what Mr Lowell is thought to stand for,” it does not “preclude him – or anyone else – from taking part in philosophical debate.”

Dr Montebello added that the foundation is fully conscious of the racist speech inciting hatred that Mr Lowell has been found guilty of in court. “In having Mr Lowell as its guest tonight, it does not mean that the Foundation endorses Mr Lowell’s philosophical or political views, that (for argument’s sake) it approves of whatever lifestyle he lives or that it encourages him to persist in any unreasonable position he adheres to.”

As Mr Lowell took to the podium, clearly pre-warned not to express his usual views, he assured the audience, with a smirk, that the reverend should not be worried as his talk “will not be exactly similar to the speeches [he] normally give[s]”.  To make sure he stayed in line and stuck to his script, he said he was wearing his reading glasses to also “hopefully they’ll give [him] a more professorial look as well.”