Hero priest dies at 88

Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing, who founded Boys’ Towns of Italy, has died following a stroke, aged 88.

Although born in Britain, he was an Irish citizen who had lived in Italy since 1930 when he went to Rome to study for the priesthood.

Ordained in 1923, he entered the Vatican diplomatic service in 1937. When the Second World War broke out, he got permission from the Pope to leave the diplomatic service and work with refugees.

Carroll-Abbing began by setting up shelters - he called them ‘‘shoestring hotels’’ - for Roman street children.

On the day the city was liberated by the Allies, he was honoured with a Silver Medal for Valour on the Field of Battle for his work, even though he was a non-combatant.

The citation commended his for rising ‘‘up with the fervour of an apostle in defence of humanity tortured and crushed by an oppressor.’’

The king bestowed several awards on him as well and honours accumulated throughout his life.

After the war, Carroll-Abbing headed Italy’s national medical relief agency, which helped refugees and managed relief projects for malaria victims in the Cassino and Anzio battle zones.

At the same time, he founded in 1945 the first of what eventually become eight Boys’ Towns in Italy, along with 40 temporary shelters for street children.

Carroll-Abbing also found time to write several books, including A Chance to Live, about children of the war and the founding of Boys Towns in Italy and a novel, Journey to Somewhere.

The funeral was scheduled for Wednesday at Boys’ Town Rome, where he died.

Boys’ Town is an American charity organisation.