Heroic WW2 priest to be honoured in Rome

A plaque is to be erected in the Vatican to honour World War II hero Msgr Hugh O’Flaherty on May 8 next year.

The Kerry priest is believed to have been responsible for saving 6,500 POWs and civilians during the war.

“The plaque will be erected on the wall of the Teutonicum, the Vatican’s German college, because that was where Msgr O’Flaherty lived for over 22 years,” Killarney’s Fr Pat Horgan told The Irish Catholic, explaining how last year the Teutonicum’s rector Dr Hans-Peter Fischer had suggested the erection of the plaque, which has since been arranged in consultation with Emma Madigan, Ireland’s Ambassador to the Holy See.

Fr George Hayes, vice rector of Rome’s Irish College said that he is “delighted to see Msgr Hugh honoured in this way,” continuing, “he made an immense contribution to the saving of so many during the war and it’s only fitting that his memory be honoured”.