SCARLET PIMPERNEL UNCOVERED – AS A PROUD MUNGRET PUPIL.

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty 1898 – 1963.

The Monsignor was otherwise know as ”Pimpernel of the  Vatican” for his role in saving people on the run in Rome during the Nazi occupation.It is believed up to 6,500 people, made up of allied soldiers and sympathisers were saved from the Nazi tyranny.

The Monsignor’s story is well documented in the film THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK with the Monsignor played by Gregory Peck.This film portrays the serious battle of wits between the priest and the German officer in charge of occupied Rome, Herr Kappler. The Nazi Chief had vowed to kill the Monsignor should he step over the yellow line he had painted depicting the Vatican boundaries, it being an independent State.

O’Flaherty’s story has an ironic twist in that post war the Monsignor visited the man who had vowed to have him tortured and killed, if captured… eventually baptised and converted him to Catholicism.

This is indicative of some of the qualities that made up the man, his forgiveness, quality of mercy and his heroism and ingenuity whilst serving at the Vatican acquiring the nickname.

”THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL ”

THE POET BRENDAN KENNELLY WROTE.

THERE IS A TREE CALLED FREEDOM AND IT GROWS IN THE HEARTS OF MEN.

HUGH O’FLAHERTY STUDIED FOR THE PRIESTHOOD AT MUNGRET COLLEGE FROM 1918 — 1922.

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Now he will certainly be remembered because of the striking statue [ by Alan Ryan Hall ] unveiled recently in Killarney on the 50th anniversary of his death. If you visit it you will be struck by the striding pose but the eyes really have an impact, as did the man himself.

There is much more information on the Monsignor to be found on WIKIPEDIA.