Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty
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An Irish Childhood
Hugh Joseph O’Flaherty was born on February 28th, 1898, in Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland, the oldest child of James and Margaret O’Flaherty. Hugh and his two brothers and one sister spent their childhoods in what was almost an occupied country. Ireland during this time was under the control of the British, denied “Home Rule,” or the ability to have its own government. Those who would stand up for Irish independence had to face British army forces, most notoriously a group called the “Black and Tans,” which was primarily made up of freed petty criminals who took too much pleasure in the fact that they were allowed to carry guns and question people. Hugh’s father James was a sergeant in the Royal Irish Constabulary, but eventually he resigned rather than continue to be involved in the suppression of the Irish people. All of this made a deep impression on the young O’Flaherty.Hugh decided early on that he wanted to be a priest, and attended a monastery school in Killarney and a Jesuit seminary in Limerick. Generally, he was better at sports than studying. He was also known for his fierce dedication to the Irish Nationalist cause. During 1920, four of Hugh’s student friends were shot by the Black and Tans in four separate episodes. Every time they heard of another such killing, Hugh and some of his classmates would pound on the table and roar, “One day we’ll sink the entire British navy!” O’Flaherty would carry a dislike and suspicion of the British for most of his life.
When in Rome
In 1922, Hugh went to Rome to complete his studies. He entered Urban College of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, and amazed his former teachers by earning his theology degree in just one year. Hugh was ordained in 1925, and spent another two years at Urban College, serving as vice-regent and earning several doctorates.
In 1934, O’Flaherty was appointed a Monsignor. He traveled to Egypt as a secretary to Msgr. Dini, a Vatican diplomat; but Dini died suddenly while in service. O’Flaherty had to take over – and in the process, discovered that he possessed an enormous talent for diplomacy. The fact was not lost on his superiors, and for the next four years, O’Flaherty was sent on diplomatic missions to places as diverse as San Domingo, Haiti, and Czechoslovakia. Then, in 1938, he was recalled to Rome and appointed to the Holy Office.The Holy Office (now called the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith) is the supreme court of the Catholic Church. Its officials deal with challenges to the Faith. They handle controversies over the Church’s doctrines and teachings. They examine claims of visions and miracles. As an organization, the Holy Office dates back to 1560 – when it was known as the Inquisition. It was here that O’Flaherty would spend his career, starting as Scrittore, or Writer, and rising to the position of Primo Notario, or Head Notary, the official who draws up the final drafts of all the decisions and signs them.
O’Flaherty’s Vatican work was very important to him. So was his golf game. He was Italy’s amateur golfing champion (diocesan rules against priests playing golf notwithstanding). He was also a superb boxer, played a good game of handball, and was a decent hurler. Six-foot-two, rough and strong, with cheap wire-rimmed glasses and an Irish brogue, O’Flaherty did not look or act like a cultured Vatican monsignor. But Roman high society was crazy over him. He regularly golfed with Mussolini’s son-in-law, and the former king Alfonso of Spain. He was invited to the best parties. He knew everybody, and everybody knew him. And they adored him. Some of O’Flaherty’s Vatican coworkers and superiors raised their eyebrows over his behavior. But others appreciated his unique gifts, and used him as a sort of unofficial ambassador in many confidential matters.