Ireland: Capuchin, Br Kevin Crowley receives Human Dignity Award

BR Kevin with Senator Ronan Mullen

Br Kevin Crowley - the Capuchin Franciscan Friar - who runs the Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Bow Street in Dublin is the recipient of the Oireachtas Human Dignity Award for 2018. Now in its fourth year, the award was presented by the Ceann Comhairle (chairman), Seán Ó Fearghail TD at a ceremony in Leinster House. The award is given annually to a person or group whose commitment to the promotion of human dignity has been exemplary.

The Capuchin Day Centre, founded by Br Kevin in 1969, provides over 700 hot meals each day to people who are homeless and in need. From Monday to Saturday it provides a morning and afternoon meals service, distributes new and second-hand clothing, and provides hot showers and personal care facilities and products.

Its services also include a GP/nurse clinic, a dental clinic, a chiropody clinic, an optician clinic, a counselling service, and advocacy, social and information support. Over 1,500 food parcels are distributed each Wednesday to the homeless and poor of Dublin. The latest additions include a cervical smear screening service and a COPD and Diabetic Clinic run by the Mater Hospital. Many professionals provide their services pro bono as their support to the great work of the Centre.

Br Kevin says that "While it breaks our hearts to see anyone in need of food in 2018, it is harder for the families with children who are rushing to make it for dinner because they have no money, or a home with proper facilities to cook for themselves. For us Capuchins, the welfare of families is a priority and for this purpose we established a designated 'Family Area' section in the dining hall where children and their parents can enjoy a nutritious meal in safety."

On the first day of his visit to Ireland, on 25 August last, Pope Francis met with Br Kevin, his Capuchin Brothers, staff and clients of the Day Centre as part of the Holy Father's pilgrimage to the ninth World Meeting of Families. Images of the emotional visit were beamed throughout the world as the Pope met those involved in the services and was so much at ease with them.

The Centre is a registered charity that cost €4m to run in 2017. Only 10% of that was provided by the state with the other 90% coming from the Church and public donations. In 2017, the centre provided approximately 400,000 units of service - an average of 1,000 clients a day. This illustrates how so many poor people are dependent on the Catholic Church for essential services that the state does not provide.

Mr Ó Fearghail, in presenting the award, said: "Pope Francis's visit to the Capuchin Day Centre while in Ireland last August was a fitting recognition of their love and care over so many years. A look at the history of the centre shows that in each decade since 1969, the Capuchins, led by Br Kevin, responded to the emerging problems in Irish society, whether it was caring for people discharged from residential care without social supports in the 1970s or looking after the 'new poor' who were stranded with unpayable debts after the collapse of the banks in 2008. In making this award, we are paying tribute to 50 years of heroism, but in fact the Capuchins' care for the poor of Dublin goes back over 400 years" Mr Ó Fearghail concluded.

Senator Rónán Mullen, who proposed Br Kevin for the award, said that the Capuchins had fully earned the deep respect and appreciation of Irish people. "At a time when people seem divided as never before about many things, Br Kevin and his team, with their love and dedication, represent our best traditions in respect and human dignity, and are our best hope for the future" he said.

Accepting the award with humility, Br Kevin said the Capuchins were committed to meeting the needs of their homeless and needy friends for as long as is necessary. "But, it is our hope and prayer that one day there will be no need for our service because everyone will have the social and financial resources to live life to the full as God intended" he commented.

Previous recipients of the Human Life, Human Rights and Human Dignity Award presented by a group of Oireachtas Members were Barney Curley, founder of Direct Aid For Africa; Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of Mary's Meals; and Gina Heraty of Westport who runs 'Our Little Brothers and Sisters Orphanage' in Haiti.

(Matt Moran is a writer based in Cork. His book - The Legacy of Irish Missionaries Lives On - available in Veritas, and online from www.onstream.ie and from Amazon).