Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of Dublin's Capuchin Day Centre, has died
The esteemed humanitarian founded the organisation in 1969. It provides over 1,000 hot meals each day and more than 1,450 food parcels each week to those in need and those who are homeless.
Brother Kevin was a Capuchin Friar who devoted his life to supporting people living in poverty and in food need.
The Capuchin Franciscans today confirmed that Brother Kevin died early this morning in the 'wonderful care' of the Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork.
'Through his ministry and life as a Capuchin Friar, Brother Kevin opened his heart and his hands to serve those most in need,' they said.
Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell offered his 'sincere sympathy' to Brother Kevin's family and his Capuchin Confréres on his death.
'Brother Kevin devoted his life to the service of the poor. His work with the Capuchin Day Centre staff and volunteers transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city who availed of its services, from misery and despair to hope and love,' he further said.
The Archbishop said that as we mourn Brother Kevin, he would want us to 'remember the poor we still have with us in ever greater numbers because of homelessness, wars, famine and the multiplicity of addictions that affect our country today.'
President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins joined with all those who have 'expressed such sadness' on learning of Brother Kevin's death.
'I was deeply honoured to meet with Brother Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company. Brother Kevin was a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need,' Higgins said.
'Sabina and I will miss his messages, which continued after his move to Cork,' he added.
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Tánaiste Simon Harris said that Brother Kevin was 'one of life's true heros' who devoted his life to helping others.
'A proud Cork man, he made an enormous contribution to assisting vulnerable Dublin people with the foundation of the Capuchin Day Centre,' he added.
Harris said that the work of the day centre went beyond the provision of food, as it provided a range of medical services and family supports.
Brother Kevin was originally from Enniskeane in Co. Cork. In his early days as a friar he worked in the Co-operative Clothing Guild for unemployed persons and families in Dublin.
In 1969 he had the small Guild offices on Bow Street reconstructed to create the day centre, with its chief purpose being to 'relieve the hardship endured by homeless people'.
The centre went on to become a core part of homelessness supports in Dublin. In recent years, it has also extended its support to international protection applicants who were living homeless in the city.
In 2018 the late Pope Francis visited the centre and met service users, and said that the Capuchins are 'especially attuned with the people of God, and indeed with the poor'.
Father Kevin Crowley meeting Pope Francis.
Brother Kevin retired in 2022 at the age of 87.
On his retirement President Michael D. Higgins said that Brother Kevin had led an 'invaluable service that is providing essential food and compassion to those most in need in our capital city'.
He praised Brother Kevin and his team for their 'great spirit of shared humanity and determined pursuit of dignity, their practical work in the delivery of human rights for all our fellow citizens.'
At the tome. Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrell said Brother Kevin had 'devoted his life to the service of the poor'.
Brother Kevin will be laid to rest on Saturday 5 July, with a funeral mass to be held at 11am at St Mary of the Angel's, Church Street, with burial afterwards in Dardistown.
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Irish Post
8 hours ago
- Irish Post
'Warm, caring, fearless': President Higgins leads tributes following death of Brother Kevin Crowley
PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins has led the tributes following the death of Capuchin friar, Brother Kevin Crowley, at the age of 90. Br Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 1969 after being moved by the plight of homeless people in the city. Over the course of the centre's history, Br Kevin — who is originally from Enniskeane, Co. Cork — oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. Br Kevin, who welcomed the late Pope Francis to the centre in 2018, retired from his role in August 2022. "His commitment to people who were poor, homeless or in need in any way was a hallmark of the man who felt compelled to express his Capuchin Franciscan values through concrete actions," read a statement from the centre. Br Kevin shakes hands with Pope Francis during the pontiff's visit to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 2018 (Image: Damien Eagers / Maxwell Photography Pool Photos / Rolling News) In his tribute, President Higgins said Br Kevin 'made an invaluable contribution to the people of Dublin city'. "I was deeply honoured to meet with Br Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company," said the president. "Br Kevin was a warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need. "Br Kevin leaves a wonderful legacy to all those whose lives to which he made such a difference." 'Warmth and decency' Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald described Br Kevin as 'a champion of the poor and of those who fall on hard times'. "A proud son of Cork, his relentless work in the Capuchin Centre here in Dublin is the stuff of legend. He lived for others and changed lives," she said. "He was a man of deep faith and real modesty. He loved people and worked every day to help those in need. "He believed fully that nobody should be forgotten or left behind. "Every time I met Br Kevin, his warmth and decency shone through. Br Kevin with then Taoiseach Enda Kenny in 2012 (Image: Laura Hutton / "The legacy he leaves us is a legacy of love and the belief that a person can make a difference." Archbishop of Dublin Fr Dermot Farrell said Br Kevin changed the lives of those he helped while seeking nothing in return. "Br Kevin devoted his life to the service of the poor," he said. "His work with the Capuchin Day Centre staff and volunteers transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city who availed of its services, from misery and despair to hope and love. "He was always able to see Christ in the people he met. His was a love that reached out with no questions asked of those who sought assistance." 'Unwavering commitment' The Salvation Army in Ireland said they hoped their own work would be a 'consolation to all who mourn Br Crowley's passing'. "He was a man of faith, compassion, and action who devoted his life to those most in need," read a statement from the charity. "His unwavering commitment to dignity, kindness, and inclusion changed countless lives. "We in the Salvation Army share in his values and mission of supporting our most vulnerable people particularly those experiencing homelessness." Br Kevin outside the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin in 2020, with the centre's then chairman, Brother Peter Rogers (Image: Julien Behal Photography / Core to Br Kevin's vision and the Capuchin Day Centre's mission is the unconditionality of access irrespective of age, race, gender, nationality and religious or political beliefs. Those who come to the centre are not asked for any personal information, or about their reasons for accessing its services. This unique openness, fostered by Br Kevin, led to the Capuchin Day Centre becoming a bedrock of homeless services in Dublin and a reliable safety net for the most vulnerable in society. When Br Kevin founded the centre in 1969, around 50 people accessed it regularly — today, that number has grown to more than 1,000 hot breakfasts and dinners served each day. See More: Brother Kevin Crowley, Capuchin Day Centre, Michael D Higgins
Irish Times
9 hours ago
- Irish Times
Capuchin Day Centre founder Br Kevin Crowley recalled as ‘champion of the poor'
Br Kevin Crowley, who died on Wednesday aged 90 , was remembered as 'a champion of the poor' and a man who 'saved many lives' at the Capuchin Day Centre he founded more than 55 years ago. The centre on Dublin's Bow Street, which provides food, clothing, medical and other care to the city's homeless and destitute, was busy as ever hours after his death was announced. Craig (37), from Dublin, who had just finished lunch of beef stew, potatoes and vegetables, said he had known Br Kevin for about 20 years. 'I wouldn't be alive today if it wasn't for him and this centre ... He saved many lives and he was a big part of my life. He was always welcoming. He'd shake your hand, ask how your day was. That means a lot to a homeless person. When you're homeless 90 per cent of people walk by you, but that man took 40 seconds out of his day to ask, 'how you are doing today?' READ MORE 'I am homeless still, living in a tent ... I would love a place [home]. Here, you can come in the morning; you are not rushed out the door. You can relax, go asleep, have a shower if necessary.' Derek (60) had known the late friar since about 2015. 'I was just made redundant and it was hard. I came in here to get dinners first. Br Kevin would sit down and chat with me. He was more like a father, a lovely man ... It's very sad now that he has passed. I hope I can get to the funeral.' Food bags at the day centre in Dublin's city centre. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Robert, from Ballymun, who is living in a nearby hostel, said Br Kevin was 'always kind' to him. 'He'd always help me out with clothes, food ... It is so important, especially when you're in and out of homelessness.' Centre director Fr Kevin Kiernan heard of his mentor's death early this morning. 'Like everything, you are expecting it, but then when it comes, there is a shock. Kevin was 90 last February; he was ready. I spoke to him about two weeks ago and he said, 'I am very weak. I just want to go'. He embraced the Lord in death this morning and that's the way he wanted it ... He is a great loss for us, but his vision is still very much alive in the day centre.' Alan Bailey, a retired Garda detective who has volunteered at the centre for more than 50 years, described Br Kevin as a 'champion of the poor who devoted his whole life to the poor'. On the day he died, the centre he founded served more than 650 hot meals and distributed hundreds of food parcels. Br Kevin's remains will repose at St Mary of the Angels Capuchin Church on Church Street from Thursday evening and through Friday, where the public are invited to pay their respects.
The Journal
10 hours ago
- The Journal
'17 years I knew him': Shock and sadness in queue for daily lunch service at Capuchin centre
'He was a really brilliant helper, really brilliant person. The best kind. He did a lot for the people.' There was shock and sadness at the Capuchin Day Centre this afternoon after the announcement of the death of Brother Kevin Crowley , the friar who founded the well-known meals service. For years, the centre has provided thousands of hot meals to homeless people and people in poverty, and Brother Kevin has been a familiar face and respected humanitarian figure. Outside the centre today, on a sunny afternoon on Bow Street, Dublin 7, The Journal spoke to people queueing ahead of its lunch service. For several of them, it was how they learned that Brother Kevin had passed away, and the news was met with sorrow. Three men in the queue together were very shocked to learn that he had died. 'I met him here umpteen times,' said Michael, one of the men. One woman, Samita, said: 'Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that.' 'He was very good. 17 years, I knew him,' she said. 'I remember him for years. He was a really brilliant helper, really brilliant person. The best kind. He did a lot for the people.' Another man and woman in the queue hadn't met Brother Kevin personally but knew who he was and the significance of his work. They said they were very sad to learn of his passing. Advertisement The centre on Bow Street provides hundreds of hot meals every day. Brother Kevin was a Capuchin Friar who founded the Day Centre in Dublin in 1969. Since then, it has been an important resource for people in need in Dublin city. As well as daily hot meals, it's known for providing help around Christmas time through food parcels and food vouchers, a service which has seen an increase in demand in recent years. The centre was visited by the late Pope Francis in 2018 during his trip to Ireland. His papal namesake, St Francis of Assisi, known for charitable works, was also the inspiration for the founding of the Capuchin Day Centre. Brother Kevin was at its helm from its founding in 1969 up until he retired in 2022 at the age of 87. He was a vocal advocate for the rights of homeless people and criticised the government's failures in housing policy on several occasions over the years. In 2018, he made clear his disapproval of the decision to move people staying in emergency accommodation in Dublin to outside of the city centre during Pope Francis's visit. 'I feel absolutely disgusted to think that Pope Francis is being used for getting these people out of emergency accommodation,' Brother Kevin said at the time. 'If there's one thing for certain, that's one of the things that Pope Francis would be entirely against,' he said. The following year, he described the housing crisis as 'appalling' and called on the government to ramp up action to address it. 'Each person should have their own home, they should have a key to their own door, and that's not being done. Money is being wasted ridiculously otherwise and [Government is] not putting it where they should be putting it,' he said. President Michael D. Higgins paid tribute to Brother Kevin this afternoon, describing him as a 'warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need'. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was a 'tireless and passionate advocate for justice' who 'dedicated his life to helping those in need', while Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was 'one of life's true heroes'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
