Per Christum Catholic Blog

Yesterday Jennifer and I watched The Scarlet and the Black, a movie about priest Msgr. Hugh O’Flaherty, who worked at the Vatican during World War II.

Basically O’Flaherty, an Irishman, hid over 4,000 Allied soldiers, Jews, and others who were in danger when Germany took control of Italy late in World War II. Despite his distrust of the British, he saved hundreds of British soldiers. He used Vatican neutrality to his advantage, and at times acted more like a spy (dressing up as a nun, an SS officer, and so forth) than a priest. However, he was first and foremost a priest. The movie details his work and amazing courage, and the courage of other Europeans. One of my favorite parts is at the end of the movie when Rome is about ready to fall to the allies. The German commander Hebert Kappler, who has tried to have O’Flaherty killed numerous times, has asked that Fr. O’Flaherty help his wife and children escape the city, because they will surely be killed by the Partisans. During the conversation, Kappler praises the Third Reich and suggests it will last forever. The conversation, occurring in the Coliseum, goes like this:

Kappler: What is important is the Reich…not Rome. What is Rome? All its greatness is over. All that’s left is a picture postcard. A playground for whores and priests. There will be a new order in Europe…The Third Reich is the future.

O’Flaherty: How many murderous dictators have talked that kind of rubbish? Just look around you Kappler. You are standing where your ancient friends entertained themselves, watching lions tear the Christians to pieces, but the Church is still here. A lot of broken stones like these, in a few years that is all that will be left of your Third Reich.

The movie portrays Pope Pius XII as interested in neutrality, but also as sympathetic to the work of O’Flaherty. I wasn’t necessarily offended by the portrayal of Pius XII, although I know some Catholics have been. The ending of the movie shows the power of grace and why the Catholic faith is above any nationality, rather seeking the Good for all people.

Overall, this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is a reminder why we must stand up against evil and not compromise with it, and why we must always be courageous