Nominations sought for humanitarian award dedicated to life of Cork priest

In Nazi-occupied Rome during 1943/44, the Rome Organisation Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty created provided refuge and assistance to the hunted and oppressed

Memorial society chair Jerry O’Grady stands beside the Hugh O'Flaherty statue in Killarney, holding the Humanitarian Medal which will be presented to a new recipient in Killarney later this year.

A memorial society is searching the world for worthy nominations to commemorate people who’ve saved countless lives.

It is in honour of a Catholic priest born in North Cork who, while in Rome, helped around 6,500 Jewish people and Allied soldiers escape the clutches of the Nazis.

The Humanitarian Medal is dedicated to the life of the late Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty, who followed a long and continuing tradition of humanitarian service by Irish people overseas and at home.

In Nazi-occupied Rome during 1943/44, the Rome Organisation he created provided refuge and assistance to the hunted and oppressed. It is almost certain that thousands would otherwise have faced imprisonment and, in many cases, certain death.

Throughout the period of occupation, Msgr O’Flaherty, who was born in the village of Kiskeam, and his many colleagues were under death sentence by the Gestapo if captured. 

HISTORY HUB

If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading

Sadly, some members of the Rome Organisation were captured, tortured, and executed.

Msgr O’Flaherty’s exploits were such that Hollywood made a blockbuster film about him, The Scarlet and the Black, in 1983.

It starred Gregory Peck in the priest’s role and Christopher Plummer as the Gestapo head in Rome who knew Msgr O’Flaherty was in charge of the escape line and was determined to kill him.

Plummer played the role of SS Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Kappler. Ironically, after the Allies took Rome, they captured and imprisoned him. Msgr O’Flaherty was his only visitor and converted him to Catholicism.

The monsignor retired to Caherciveen, Kerry, for the last three years of his life and died in October 1963.

Msgr O’Flahery had won a number of prestigious international awards for his work saving so many during the Second World War. His death was mourned throughout the world and included a front-page tribute in The New York Times.

The Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society is now putting out a call for nominations the award. They're invited from individuals, humanitarian NGOs (operating at home or overseas), and voluntary societies.

The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday, July 10. They should be submitted in writing, in less than 500 words.

Full details are available on www.hughoflaherty.com or can be obtained by emailing the society at [e-mail].

The winner/s will receive The O’Flaherty Humanitarian Medal, a framed ward scroll from the mayor of Killarney at a special award ceremony to be held in Killarney at the end of October, and a bursary of €3,000.