An Irish priest named Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty was a patron of Rome’s high life, a well-respected Vatican diplomat and a regular attendee of all the most prestigious parties in the capital. O’Flaherty grew up in an Ireland under British control at the turn of the 20th century. Irish citizens fighting for their own freedom faced the wrath of harsh British army forces, including the infamous ‘Black and Tans’. As a young clerical student he witnessed first-hand atrocities committed by the Black and Tans and a number of his friends were killed. All of this made a deep impression on the young O’Flaherty.
On Monday 10 June 1940, Il Duce, Benito Mussolini announced to the Italian people that their country would enter the War on the following day as partners of Germany. Until then, the career of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, working in the Vatican, had been relatively routine. He fulfilled various roles in the Church and became a senior official of the Roman Curia, before being appointed to a senior position at the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office in 1936. However, his speedy rise through the ranks of the Vatican civil service is a clear …show more content…
A memorial committee was set up in Killarney, Co. Kerry with the main objective of ensuring that his legacy is never forgotten. After all he is credited with saving the lives of more than 6,500 people in Nazi-occupied Rome during World War II. Hugh O’Flaherty had a major impact on the lives of many civilians during the War and is historically significant to the Italian Jews and the British and Amercian soldiers whose lives he saved. He also had a profound effect on Herbert Kappler. O’Flaherty brought the good out in one of the cruellest and most cold-hearted people, and that is why it is so important to remember such an incredible person. I am delighted that I chose to do my project on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty as he is truly
On Monday 10 June 1940, Il Duce, Benito Mussolini announced to the Italian people that their country would enter the War on the following day as partners of Germany. Until then, the career of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, working in the Vatican, had been relatively routine. He fulfilled various roles in the Church and became a senior official of the Roman Curia, before being appointed to a senior position at the Sacred Congregation of the Holy Office in 1936. However, his speedy rise through the ranks of the Vatican civil service is a clear …show more content…
A memorial committee was set up in Killarney, Co. Kerry with the main objective of ensuring that his legacy is never forgotten. After all he is credited with saving the lives of more than 6,500 people in Nazi-occupied Rome during World War II. Hugh O’Flaherty had a major impact on the lives of many civilians during the War and is historically significant to the Italian Jews and the British and Amercian soldiers whose lives he saved. He also had a profound effect on Herbert Kappler. O’Flaherty brought the good out in one of the cruellest and most cold-hearted people, and that is why it is so important to remember such an incredible person. I am delighted that I chose to do my project on Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty as he is truly