Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of Dublin’s Capuchin Day Centre, has passed away at the age of 90.
In a statement, Archbishop Dermot Farrell, Archbishop of Dublin said:
“Firstly, my sincere sympathy to Brother Kevin’s family and his Capuchin confrères 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 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. Brother Kevin was an authentic follower of St Francis of Assisi.
“As we mourn Brother Kevin’s death, 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 county today.
“Today we ask the Lord to grant us compassion for those who are experiencing Calvary and sorrow for our own self-indulgence.
“We cannot put words on that love of God, and yet when we have witnessed it in a good man’s life and death, we too are able to recognise it, and to say a deeper and more grateful ‘yes’ to God.
“May Brother Kevin Crowley rest in the eternal embrace of God.”
Kevin Crowley was born on February 24, 1935, and worked initially as a signalman with CIÉ.
He founded the Capuchin Day Centre in 1969, inspired by the spirit of St Francis Assisi, the Centre was set up to ‘relieve the hardship endured by homeless people.
Situated in Bow Street, Dublin 7, the Day Centre started out providing meals for the homeless in Dublin and has developed its services over the years to meet the presenting needs of those who come seeking food and support.
Since its founding over 50 years ago, the Day Centre has helped many thousands of people.
Last Christmas, on December 21, he handed out 3,000 food vouchers to help people over the holiday period.