num_pages: 190
description: It has all the hallmarks of a best-selling fictional thriller: espionage conspiracy a struggle against evil powers undercover work by dark of night... but it's all true. The Scarlet and the Black tells the astonishing and heroic true story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty the man dubbed The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican during World War II.Born in Killarney Ireland Hugh OFlaherty was an avid athlete? becoming a formidable boxer handball player hurler and golfer. From an early age however he knew his calling was to the priesthood. After his ordination he served first as an Apostolic Delegate in Egypt Haiti Santo Domingo and Czechoslovakia then in Rome at the Holy Office (now the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith). It was here in Rome that his greatest work began. After the surrender of Italy in 1943 Rome came under the command of Nazi Colonel Herbert Kappler of the dreaded SS who began the deportation of Italian Jews to Auschwitz. Kappler was a notorious hater of the Jews persecuting them at every turn. As a top man in the Vatican Holy Office Msgr. OFlaherty sprang into action organizing a sophisticated team that included men and women of many nationalities religions and political views. There was one goal? to save Jews and POWs from the Nazi machine. Despite Kapplers numerous attempts to assassinate him OFlaherty persisted and his efforts saved thousands of Jews and POWs.Using private homes and apartments churches and monasteries the effort was all orchestrated by Msgr. OFlaherty. Each day his familiar figure would stand on the steps of St. Peters - neutral ground that even the Nazis wouldnt violate - to welcome any fugitives who might be sent his way. All told of 9700 Roman Jews most were saved with 1007 shipped to Auschwitz. The rest were hidden 5000 of them by the official Church - 3000 at the Popes Castel Gandolfo 200 or 400 (estimates vary) as members of the Palatine Guard and some 1500 in monasteries convents and colleges. The remaining 3700 were hidden in private homes including Msgr. O'Flaherty's network of apartments. After the war OFlaherty was honored by various Allied countries with awards and decorations for his heroic acts to save Jews and POWs. -- IllustratedPara cientos de personas huidas -prisioneros aliados refugiados judos y no judos a quienes los nazis buscaban por diversos motivos- uno de los ms grandes hroes de la Segunda Guerra Mundial es el espigado y jovial sacerdote irlands Monseor Hugh Joseph QFlaherty. Durante toda la guerra trabaj en el Vaticano; aprovech esta circunstancia para organizar por su cuenta extraoficialmente un sistema de eficacia increble con el fin de dar albergue a innumerables refugiados. El relato de sus aventuras es una historia excitante que arroja una luz reveladora sobre uno de los aspectos menos conocidos de la Guerra. Despus de la liberacin Mons. QFlaherty fue condecorado por Italia Canad y Australia recibi la Medalla norteamericana de la Libertad y nombrado Comendador del Imperio Britnico. Herbert Kappler fue sentenciado a cadena perpetua por crmenes de guerra. En los largos aos que estuvo en la prisin italiana Kappler tuvo un solo visitante: todos los meses ao tras ao QFlaherty iba a visitarle. En 1959 el antiguo jefe de la Gestapo de Roma recibi el bautismo de manos del sacerdote irlands.
language: English
title: The Scarlet and the Black: The True Story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, Hero of the Vatican Underground
publisher: Ignatius Press