Mags GarganThe Irish embassy to the Holy See and the Teutonic (German) College in the Vatican came together at the weekend to honour the memory of a Kerry priest who saved thousands of Jews and prisoners of war during the World War II.
Some 60 members of the Hugh O’Flaherty memorial society joined Irish ambassador Emma Madigan in the church of the German College, where Msgr O’Flaherty was based, for the unveiling of a plaque recalling his vital contribution to the resistance movement in Rome.
“Directed and sustained by his faith, he gave up the comfort and security he had, to try and lead as many people as possible out of that nightmare,” Ambassador Madigan said.
“Happily for so many people, Msgr O’Flaherty united that faith and that compassion with apparently bottomless courage and resourcefulness.”
Fr George Hayes, vice-rector of the Irish Pontifical College, told The Irish Catholic that as a Kerryman he was “very proud” to see Msgr O’Flaherty’s “tremendous courage and bravery” being honoured. He said the monsignor is an “inspiration for future generations” and we can learn a lot from him at a time that “so many are fleeing places of conflict”.
The ceremony was also attended by the Ambassadors of Britain, the US and Canada and representatives of the O’Flaherty family.