Partisan approach of the ‘Vatican Pimpernel’

GERARD O’Regan (March 15) seems satisfied with Dan Buckley’s article (February 27) in praise of Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty – the Vatican Pimpernel – in wartime Rome.

I would go most of the way with O’Regan and Buckley. However, I do wish Msgr O’Flaherty had confined his honourable humanitarian contribution to civilians/non-combatants only.

For the moment he aided escaping Allied prisoners, he discarded his non-partisan status and violated Vatican (and Irish) neutrality. Nonetheless, this exceptional Irish priest will always be remembered for his wonderful work in the service of suffering humanity.

JA Barnwell

St Patrick’s Road

Dublin 9