SNIPPET: During the Second World War the monsignor from Killarney (Kerry), Hugh O'FLAHERTY, saved thousands of Jews, civilians and Allied soldiers from the Nazi terror; he was awarded the United States Medal of Freedom; and Gregory PECK played his character in the 1983 TV movie, "The Scarlet and the Black." Based in Rome during the war, he became known as the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican, who saved the lives of over 4,000 British and American soldiers and Jews from torture and death at the hands of the Gestapo in German-occupied Rome during WW-II, and did so without the knowledge of the Vatican. Somewhat belatedly, Monsignor O'FLAHERTY was recently honored by his native town for his exploits, in various ceremonies and addresses. The Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop LEANZA praised his "great qualities of leadership, ingenuity, passion and courage, physical and moral." The Monsignor ran what became known as The Organisation, hiding thousands in monasteries and convents, in the Papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, in the Propaganda Fide (Propagation of the Faith) college where he worked, and ironically in the German College. Monsignor O'FLAHERTY retired to Cahirciveen in Kerry in 1963, and died there three years later. -- Excerpt, Dublin's "Ireland of the Welcomes" magazine for Jan-Feb 2009.