Fighting the Good Fight: The Father Peter Whelan Story Trailer

Title:
Fighting the Good Fight: The Father Peter Whelan Story Trailer

Description:
This is a trailer for the documentary "Fighting the Good Fight: The Father Peter Whelan Story." This inspirational, one-hour DVD can be purchased at: www.deepwaterproductions.org. Known as "The Angel of Andersonville," Fr. Whelan was the only chaplain to remain for any length of time ministering to the more than 45,000 Union POW's. His story is not very well known, and yet, in his lifetime he touched thousands, which is highlighted by the fact that his funeral in 1871 was the largest that the city of Savannah had seen up to that time. His work included missionary duties in North Carolina, the pastorate of Georgias first Catholic parish, and on two occasions served as administrator of the diocese of Savannah. Father Whelans most noteworthy contributions were the years spent serving as chaplain to confederate troops at Fort Pulaski near Savannah at the beginning of the Civil War. Present during the bombardment and capture of Fort Pulaski by Federal forces, he volunteered to remain with the troops during their imprisonment in New York. Later he volunteered to minister to the Union prisoners-of-war held at the infamous Andersonville prison camp in West Georgia. Known by survivors as the Angel of Andersonville, he was the only minister willing to serve within this prison that witnessed the death of 13,000 men in fourteen months. Because he was a man willing to rise above the political, social, racial and religious barriers of his day in order to preserve the dignity of each human person, he is truly a man for all seasons, and his story one that needs to be told. Research for this film comes from the work of the late historian, Rev. Peter J. Meaney, O.S.B., entitled, The Prison Ministry of Father Peter Whelan, Georgia Priest and Confederate Chaplain, an article from the Georgia Historical Quarterly, produced by the Georgia Historical Society. Permission was granted by Rev. Meaney for use of his research to create this film. The film also includes interviews from several historians and authorities on related subjects from the College of Charleston, Andersonville National Historic Site, the Andersonville Guild and Fort Pulaski National Monument.

Author:
FRWHELAN

Tags:
Civil War Chaplain, Father Peter Whelan,