Hugh O'Flaherty - Helper at Campo Santo Teutonico and on the periphery of Rome

Der Held des Campo Santo Teutonico, der irische Priester Hugh O'Flaherty, der tausenden verfolgter Menschen unter der nationalsozialistischen Besatzung in Rom zur Flucht verhalf, war im Vatikan keineswegs unbekannt.

Zu seinem Tod erschien am 28. Oktober 1963 im Osservatore Romano der folgende Beitrag (hier übersetzt):

"At his home in Cahirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty passed away at the age of sixty-five. He was a priest well known in Rome, not only for his intense activity in the service of the Holy See as Official of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Holy Offizio, but also for his unceasing work on behalf of the poor and destitute in the suburbs and on the outskirts of the city, and for the loving care he gave after 8 September 1943, to prisoners who escaped from concentration camps and to the politically persecuted.

The late prelate, whose name will always be remembered as a shining example of that Christian Charity that knows no barriers of nationality or social conditions, repeatedly put his life on the line to save as many human lives as possible, pouring much of his funds into this risky work, and always accompanying the gift with words of trust in God who provides for the lilies of the camp and the birds of the air.

Thanks to him, thousands of allied prisoners were able to escape and live in hiding in some sixty flats, requisitioned by his 'organisation', which, although it operated for only ten months, was able to record an abundant harvest of good. We are certain that all those benefited by Monsignor O'Flaherty will remember with true regret the noble figure of the Irish priest, and commend his soul to the merciful Father".

Hero of the Campo Santo

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Category: Roman notes