Latest news with #CapuchinDayCentreforHomelessPeople
The Journal
02-07-2025
- General
- The Journal
Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of Dublin's Capuchin Day Centre, has died
THE FOUNDER OF the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin City Brother Kevin Crowley has passed away, it's been confirmed. 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. Advertisement 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. 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
The Irish Sun
02-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Brother Kevin Crowley dies aged 90 after devoting life to people in need & founding Dublin's Capuchin Day Centre
BROTHER Kevin Crowley, the founder of the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin City, has passed away aged 90. The esteemed humanitarian died in the early hours of this morning in the "wonderful care" of staff at Mount Desert Nursing Home in Co Cork. 1 Brother Kevin Crowley at the Capuchin Day Centre Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin Brother Kevin was a Capuchin Friar who devoted his life to supporting people living in poverty and in food need. He founded the Capuchin Day Centre on Bow Street in Dublin in 1969. The centre provides over 1,000 hot meals each day, more than 1,450 food parcels each week, clothing and day care facilities for people who are homeless and in need. A notice on the Capuchin Franciscans' website this afternoon reads: "With great sadness we announce the death of our Capuchin confrere, Brother Kevin Crowley OFM Cap. READ MORE IRISH NEWS "Brother Kevin died early this morning (02 July 2025) in the wonderful care of Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork. "He was known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor, particularly through his work in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People which he founded on Bow Street, Dublin in 1969. "Through his ministry and life as a Capuchin Friar, Brother Kevin opened his heart and his hands to serve those most in need."
Irish Examiner
02-07-2025
- General
- Irish Examiner
Cork native Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of Capuchin Day Centre, dies aged 90
Cork native Brother Kevin Crowley, who founded the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, has died at the age of 90. Originally from Enniskeane, Br Kevin founded the day centre for homeless people on Bow Street in Dublin in 1969. He retired in August 2022 and returned to his native county. The Irish Capuchin Franciscans said Br Kevin died early on Wednesday "in the wonderful care of Mount Desert Nursing Home in Cork". "He was known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor, particularly through his work in the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People which he founded on Bow Street, Dublin in 1969," said a statement. "Through his ministry and life as a Capuchin Friar, Brother Kevin opened his heart and his hands to serve those most in need." After founding the day centre in 1969, Br Kevin became synonymous with helping the poor of Dublin city down through the decades. It provides food and shelter to an average of 800 people every day. His last day at the centre was August 19, 2022. In 2018, Pope Francis visited the centre where he met Br Kevin and some of the people who use the essential services there. Pope Francis shakes hands with Br Kevin Crowley as he arrives for a visit to the Capuchin Day Centre in 2018. File picture: Maxwell Photography/PA Wire Close friend of Br Kevin, former Lord Mayor of Dublin and councillor Christy Burke, paid tribute. 'It was a pleasure to bestow the Freedom of the City on Br Kevin in 2015. He helped thousands of people who were homeless over the years. My sincere condolences to his family and friends. His legacy will live on forever,' Mr Burke said. 'For decades, Br Kevin was a beacon of compassion and dignity for those experiencing homelessness in Dublin. He gave his life to serving others, always with kindness, humility and quiet strength. To so many, he was nothing less than a living saint. "When I last visited him in Cork, he spoke with deep affection about the people he had served and the incredible generosity he witnessed over the past 50 years. He never sought recognition, but he inspired countless others through his example. 'Today, I mourn not only a remarkable man, but a close and cherished friend. His presence will be missed dearly, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of those he helped and those who loved him." Read More Taoiseach urges fiscal caution as EU rules tighten and trade tensions grow
