Brother Kevin Crowley, founder of Dublin’s famous Capuchin Day Centre, has died this morning aged 90 at Mount Desert Nursing Home in Co. Cork.
His death was announced by the Capuchin Franciscans in a post on their website, who said that Brother Kevin was “known throughout the country and beyond as a Brother to the poor,” particularly through his work at the Capuchin Day Centre he founded on Dublin’s Bow Street 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,” the post reads.
The Centre initially served up to 60 people daily.
However, that number has since grown to over 1000 hot breakfasts and dinners served each day.
In August 2018, the Centre was visited by Pope Francis during his trip to Ireland, who later described the work done by the Irish Capuchins as “a beautiful thing”.
Brother Kevin departed the Centre in 2022 as a result of ailing health, and spent his final years in his native Co. Cork.
In a statement, the Day Centre expressed its “deepest sympathies to the Capuchin Friars in Ireland on the death of their brother, Kevin Crowley OFM Cap”.
“Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre in 1969 in response to seeing homeless men eating from rubbish bins. 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.
“Brother Kevin founded the Capuchin Day Centre on the principle of relieving the hardship endured by homeless people and over the course of the Centre’s more than 55 years history, he oversaw much of its development in response to the needs of homeless people. Today the Capuchin Day Centre offers not just two hot meals per day, Monday to Saturday, but also food parcels, clothing, showering facilities, family services, medical interventions, optician, chiropody and dental services, as well as an informal advice and an information service,” the Centre said.
Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell said that through his work, Brother Kevin “transformed the lives of the poor and marginalised in our city… 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 Saint Francis of Assisi,” Archbishop Farrell said.
Meanwhile, President Michael D. Higgins praised Brother Kevin’s “invaluable contribution to the people of Dublin city”.
“I was deeply honoured to meet with Brother Kevin on many occasions throughout the years and to share in his company,” President Higgins said, adding that he was a “warm, caring, yet fearless man, who dedicated his life to living his Christian faith in dedication to those most in need”.
“Brother Kevin leaves a wonderful legacy to all those whose lives to which he made such a difference.”