Vatican Pimpernel by Brian Fleming

Vatican Pimpernel by Brian Fleming

During the German occupation of Rome from 1942 to 1944, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, a Kerryman and Vatican diplomat, devoted his energy to running an escape organisation for Allied POWs, civilians and Jews. The work was dangerous. Safe within the Vatican with diplomatic immunity, he regularly ventured out in disguise, building a network of contacts and safe locations. His helpers included religious, communists, a Swiss count, British soldiers and the singer Delia Murphy. When the Allies arrived he had saved over 6,000 and was known as 'the Pimpernel of the Vatican'. Kappler, the Gestapo chief in Rome, ordered him captured or killed if seen outside the Vatican. None of those recaptured and tortured betrayed him. After the war, Kappler was sentenced to life. His only visitor, monthly, for many years, was O'Flaherty. They became friends and, in 1959, O'Flaherty baptised his former enemy. O'Flaherty was awarded the highest honours by many Allied countries, including a CBE (UK), the Congressional Medal (US), and was the first Irishman named Notary of the Holy Office. He retired to Cahirciveen in 1960. Eight million people watched him in 1963 on BBC's This Is Your Life. He died just months later. His death was reported by papers worldwide, including the New York Times. The 'Oskar Schindler' of Ireland was immortalised in a 1983 film starring Gregory Peck as O'Flaherty, The Scarlet and the Black, yet the only monument to him in Ireland is a grove of Italian trees planted in Killarney National Park in 1994 by his family and friends.

'Enthralling and inspiring' The Catholic Times 'Story of personal bravery well worth retelling' The Irish Times 'A true thriller' Scottish Catholic Observer 'An affectionate book that at times reads as well as a spy novel' Books Ireland 'The story it tells is extraordinary' Irish Independent

Brian Fleming, a former member of the Oireachtas, has been a teacher for many years and is currently Principal of Collinstown Park Community College in Dublin.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9781848890114
ISBN 10	1848890117
Title	Vatican Pimpernel
Author	Brian Fleming
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Gill
Year published	2009-07-01
Number of pages	236
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable