The Minister for Arts Culture and Gaelteacht Affairs Jimmy Deenihan
TD has launched a fundraising initiative in memory of humanitarian and
Kerry born Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty.
Dubbed the 'Scarlet
Pimpernel of the Vatican', Monsignor O'Flaherty helped to
smuggle thousands of Jews to safety during the Second World War.
His
story was captured in the popular 1983 Hollywood movie, The Scarlet and
the Black, with Gregory Peck playing O'Flaherty.
The launch acted as an official call to the Friends of Hugh
O'Flaherty Memorial Society to help raise funds for a permanent memorial
to the Monsignor in Killarney Town Centre and to continue to
commemorate his humanitarian deeds through the awarding of the annual
Hugh O'Flaherty International Humanitarian Award and by promoting his
story in various art forms.
Speaking at the launch Minister Deenihan commented that "Monsignor
O'Flaherty was a man of great humanity and courage, qualities he
demonstrated through his life but never more so than in Rome during the
Second World War. During this period he helped over 6,500 people escape
the tyranny that controlled Italy at the time."
He went on: "This fundraising initiative endeavours to have a
permanent memorial erected to the Monsignor here in his hometown of
Killarney. Such a memorial would be an ideal way of ensuring that
future generations will be aware of the great bravery ,commitment and
determination the Monsignor displayed throughout his
illustrious career."
The initiative has also received the backing of the Mayor of
Killarney Cllr Donal O'Grady who called for Monsignor O'Flaherty to be
declared 'Blessed'.
At the annual Hugh O'Flaherty Memorial weekend in
November 2010 plans were announced for a permanent memorial to the
Monsignor in the town.
Following 25 submissions from artists from all
over Europe, Alan Ryan Halls sculpture of Monsignor O'Flaherty striding
across Saint Peter's Square in Rome was chosen.