Hugh O'Flaherty
Monsignor Hugh O' Flaherty was an amazing man who was honored around the globe for his efforts of saving over 6,500 allied Jews and American and British Soldiers.
About the Holocaust
The Holocaust was one of the most devastating times in history. From 1933 to 1945, the Germans invaded Europe, sent the Jewish to Concentration Camps, where they were murdered. The Jewish population plummeted from 9 million to 3million people.
Before the Holocaust, Hugh was just a regular Irish, Catholic Priest who worked for the Vatican . After the war, he was known as "The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican." Hugh was a master of disguise. He managed to help over 6,500 Jews, American and British Soldiers, and P.O.W.s escape during World War II . Hugh ran an escape line where he smuggled refugees that he already socialized with, hid Italian Jews in monasteries, convents, and old collages, he also planned many rescue missions. He created an underground Vatican based network working secretly with other religious, diplomats and ordinary civilians to secure their freedom. Safe houses, food, clothing and needed documents were provided, despite the presence of the Nazis. Though the Nazis desperately wanted to arrest him, the Vatican made it illegal. Hugh survived an assassination attempt. Later on, Hugh's actions inspired people to make a film called The film The Scarlet and the Black. After the Holocaust, Hugh received many awards for his brave efforts, including Comander of the British Empire, the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Silver Palm, and he was the First Irishman named Notary of the Holy Office. Along with that, he was honored by Austrailia and Canada. Hugh also has a Memorial in Killarney, Ireland.
Bibliography
- <listverse.com>
- <rootsweb.ancestry.com>
- <www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2013/11/hugh-oflaherty-irelands-shining-priest>
- <hughoflaherty.com>
- <en.m.wikipedia.org>
- <bbc.com>