He Never Spared Himself
Paddy Crean was an Irish priest from Dublin. He joined the British Army in 1941 and served with distinction as a military chaplain for more than twenty years. During World War II he landed at Normandy with the 29th Armored Brigade and saw action in Belgium, Holland, and Germany. For his heroic service he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). After the war he served with two United Nations peacekeeping missions to the Congo. Father Crean wrote many letters home during the war, revealing his low-key personality and deep faith. Soon after D-Day, he wrote,
After 16 days at this second front thank God I am safe and well. We are in France as you know and everything is going well. I am overwhelmed with chaps all clamouring for the comforts of the Faith and I must say whatever dangers there may be and there are some of course, it is all well worth it. I have been up to the front quite a lot and been shelled once! However, God is Good.486
His qualities as a chaplain were illustrated in the citation for his MBE:
Possessing a quiet, sincere and likeable character, he has always been on the best of terms with all ranks. He has never spared himself in his work and has afforded great assistance and comfort to many. He has made constant visits to the wounded, often in advanced medical posts and has throughout shown great keenness and organizing ability in arranging clubs and rest rooms, which have not been confined to those of his own creed.
He has been a strong rock to those of his own flock, and has throughout taken the greatest interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the troops. He has set a very fine example and has made a great contribution to the happiness and wellbeing of the men.487
Paddy Crean is another distinguished example of a clergyman who heroically and selflessly served his nation, his fellow soldiers, and his God during wartime. In sacrificing for others, he never spared himself.
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
—Galatians 5:13