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NOMINATIONS are being invited for the 2017 Hugh O'Flaherty International Humanitarian Award. As part of the 10th annual Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Weekend, which will take place on Saturday, November 4, Sunday, November 5, in Killarney, the Hugh O’Flaherty Memorial Society are inviting the public, NGOs, voluntary bodies and organisations to nominate the person or organisation they feel is doing outstanding humanitarian work and most deserving of the 2017 Hugh O’Flaherty International Humanitarian Award.

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty, who was from Killarney, was dubbed the Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican for his lifesaving exploits during World War II. During the course of the war he was instrumental in saving the lives of more than 6,500 anti-Fascists, Allied escapees, Jews and many others by hiding them from the Gestapo in a number of safe houses. throughout Rome. On the day Rome was liberated, June 4, 1944, his organisation was still successfully hiding almost 4000 people, despite the efforts of the Gestapo to recapture them.

The work of Monsignor O’Flaherty follows a long tradition of humanitarian service by Irish people, when he provided refuge and assistance to the oppressed in Rome without any regard for race, colour, creed or political beliefs – applying his own simple yet profound belief that “God Has No Country”.

After WW2 Monsignor O'Flaherty received many honours including Commander of the British Empire and the US Medal of Freedom. In November 2008, in recognition of his immense humanitarian deeds the people of his hometown of Killarney posthumously presented the Killarney Humanitarian Award to Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. For subsequent years, the Award was renamed in his honour and presented to worthy recipients.

Last year’s 2016 Humanitarian Award recipient was Irish Columban Missionary to the Philippines and founder of PREDA, Fr Shay Cullen. Since 1969 he has led a sustained campaign in defence of the oppressed and exploited women and children in the Philippines.

In 2013, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Monsignor’s death, a magnificent life-size bronze memorial was unveiled on Mission Road in Killarney. It is the work of Valentia Based artist Alan Ryan Hall.

Nominations in no more than 500 words should be submitted in writing to the Awards Committee at the below address, or by e-mail to hofmemorialsociety@gmail.com before Friday, June 16. The nomination should clearly outline the reasons why the nominator feels that the nominated Individual/Team/Organisation, merits consideration for this award.

An independent panel will fully consider the nominations received and will recommend a recipient to the Memorial Committee. The 2017 Award recipient will be announced in late August and the award will be presented on Saturday November 4.
 

 
Above: Fr Shay Cullen, pictured after receiving the Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty Humanitarian Award.
PICTURE: DON MACMONAGLE