Memorial Fund for Family of Murdered Vicar

A memorial fund has been set up to support the family of the vicar who was killed outside his church two weeks ago.

Fr Paul Bennett, 59, died of stab wounds in the grounds of St Fagan's church at Trecynon near Aberdare.

Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, the Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan, said clergy and parishioners were keen to support Father Paul's family in a practical way.

Now churches are actively gathering collections to contribute to the memorial fund.
"Some people - even without waiting for a fund to be opened - have sent cheques here," he said in a BBC report.

Fr Bennett's family have said they no longer wish to remain at St Fagan's vicarage, where they lived with Fr Bennett for the last four years. They were, however, initially reluctant to accept the Archbishop's memorial fund proposal.

"I had to say to them 'Look, people do want to tangibly support you'," said the Archbishop.

"It was only when they said to me 'Well, I suppose in similar circumstances we would want to do the same' that they've agreed to this".

Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff will take a special collection on Maundy Thursday while a collection will also be taken during the Governing Body of the Church in Wales after Easter.

Offers of support have come across the border too. Rev Tony Shutt of St Mary's in Send, Woking, is also doing a collection.

He says, "Most of us parish clergy will have some experience of being on the doorstep of our homes trying to deal with difficult and potentially treacherous people. So I can truly feel for what has happened to Paul and his family and community. I want to honour Paul's life and death in a practical way."

The money collected during services in churches over the next few weeks will be given to Father Bennett's widow, Georgina.

Although a new parish priest will be appointed, Archbishop Morgan assured there was "absolutely no pressure as far as the Church in Wales is concerned" for the family to leave any time soon.

"But, of course, as they've said to me 'we want to get out of here because this is where the stabbing took place' and so they don't want to remain there for a long time," he said. "The question is how can we help them in finding somewhere else where they want to live."

Welsh police charged 23-year-old local man David Geraint Evans with the murder of Fr Bennett earlier in the month. He remains in custody.

Fr Bennett's funeral will take place on April 3. The Archbishop of Wales, Most Rev Dr Barry Morgan, will preside at the service while Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, Rt Rev David Yeoman will preach. Also present will be the former Bishop of Llandaff, Rt Rev Roy Davies and Provincial Assistant Bishop David Thomas.