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Hugh O´Flaherty´s Birth
Hugh O´Flaherty was born on February 28, 1898 in Cahersiveen, Republic of Ireland. His parents were Margaret and James
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Mungret
Hugh O´Flaherty enrolled into Mungret College in 1918 at the age of 20 to prepare to be a missionary and prepare for priesthood. -
Black and Tans in Ireland
Four of Hugh O´Flaherty´s classmates were killed by the Black and Tans in the year 1920 in four different episodes. He attended two other Irish independence supporter´s funerals and was questioned later about it. -
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Studies in Rome
Hugh O´Flaherty was sent to Rome to finish his seminarian studies. He was able to earn his theology degree in just one year. After he was ordained he further continued his studies for another two years -
Hugh O´Flaherty is Ordained
In Rome late 1925 Hugh O´Flaherty was ordained. After being Ordained he began serving the Vatican. -
Monsignor
O´Flaherty was appointed Monsignor in 1934. From then on he began to work for the Holy office in Rome. -
Neutral
When Hugh heard about the start of the second world war he refused to side with anyone. He remained neutral. -
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POW camps
In the early years of world war 2 Hugh traveled to Prisoner of War camps that were located in Italy -
The beginning of Hugh O´Flaherty´s legacy
In 1942 Hugh Seeing the horrendous way Jews were being treated, set up a network to keep some of the Jews and allied soldiers safe. -
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The Gestapo
Hugh was constantly on the run from the Gestapo they even tried to kidnap him a few times. The Gestapo got tired and painted a white line in St. Peters Square hoping they could catch the monsignor crossing the line and they would be able to capture him. But he outsmarted them using disguises and becoming known as the Scarlet Pimpernel. -
Ardeatine Caves Massacre
On March 24, 1944 German police officials gathered 335 male citizens and took them into man made caves know as Ardeatine Caves. They shot and killed every citizen. -
Arrival of allies
O´Flaherty´s group continued its action until 1944 when Roman allies finally arrived. In total his group saved approximately 6,425 individuals. Hugh stood on the steps waiting for General Mark Clark ,the commander of the fifth army, ¨Welcome to Rome,¨ he said. -
Herbert Kappler
After the war ended Hugh received a letter from Herbert Kappler, ex-Gestapo chief, awaiting his trial for a massacre. -
Herbert Kappler is sentenced
Herbert Kappler was given a life sentence without parole. Monsignor Hugh had converted him to Catholicism after he was put in jail through visits with Kappler after the war. -
Kappler´s baptism
In 1959 Monsignor Hugh O`Flaherty baptized Herbert Kappler who had recently joined the Catholic religion. -
Stroke
In 1960 Hugh unfortunately had a stroke and moved into his sisters home in Cahersiveen, County Kerry, Ireland. -
Honored after death
After Monsignor Hugh O´Flaherty passed away he recieved Commander of the British Empire and the the U.S. Medal of Freedom. -
Hugh O´Flaherty´s Death
Sadly on October 30, 1963 Hugh O´Flaherty passed away. He died on the account of a stroke. He died in his birth town of Cahersiveen, Republic of Ireland and was also buried in the town at Daniel O'Connell Memorial Church. -
Herbert Kappler´s death
At an age of 70 Herbert Kappler passed away. He had escaped from prison died in his home. -
Memorial
In Hugh´s hometown a group of priest´s followers made a memorial society for Hugh. In 2013 they created a statue to honor Hugh with his personal motto ¨God has no country¨
