This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/6451681.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Vicar stabbed to death at church Vicar stabbed to death at church
(40 minutes later)
A vicar has been stabbed to death in the grounds of his church in a south Wales valleys village. A vicar has been found by his wife stabbed to death in the grounds of his church in a south Wales village.
Father Paul John Bennett, 59, died at St Fagans Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf. Father Paul Bennett, 59, died at St Fagans Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
In what police called an horrific incident, Mr Bennett, a married father-of-three, was found after officers were called at about 1450 GMT. In what police called an horrific incident, Mr Bennett, a father-of-two and grandfather, was found by his wife Georgina at about 1450 GMT.
A 23-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at a police station. A 23-year-old local man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and is being questioned at a police station.
The entire church grounds in the middle of the village, a couple of miles from Aberdare, were sealed off. The church grounds in Windsor Street in the middle of the village were sealed off with police standing guard at the gates.
Everyone who knew him loved him Christopher Smith, Church in Wales Officers said his family were "extremely distraught" and were with family liaison officers offering support.
Police were standing guard at the gates of the church, in Windsor Street. Any murder is terrible, but the murder of a priest is almost unthinkable because a priest stands for peaceable things Assistant bishop David Yeoman
Shocked local residents were standing outside their houses close to the scene as scenes of crime officers were at work at the church. Shocked residents were standing outside their houses close to the church as night fell. Police said scenes of crime officers would work there throughout the night.
Church in Wales spokesman Christopher Smith said his thoughts and prayers with Mr Bennett's family, his wife Georgina and his three children. Assistant bishop the Rt Reverend Dr David Yeoman of Llandaff, who worked with Mr Bennett for 30 years, called him "an extremely hard-working, diligent priest.
"He was a devoted family man, an excellent parish priest and much loved," he said. "His religious views were held sincerely and firmly held. He was not an extreme man, but he was a very peacable man, a man of great faith and had great devotion to the church and the people in the community."
"Everyone will be shocked. He has been here since 2002, and was very much loved. Police cars and officers near the church in Trecynon
"It is a tragedy." Dr Yeoman said he was actively involved in the community and worked closely with a local school, St John the Baptist in Aberdare.
'Shock and alarm' "Any murder is terrible, but the murder of a priest is almost unthinkable because a priest stands for peaceable things," he said.
Mr Smith said he was a colleague and friend and had known him throughout his ministry. Church in Wales spokesman Christopher Smith said: "He was a devoted family man, an excellent parish priest and much loved.
Makeshift chapel
"Everyone will be shocked. He has been here since 2002, and was very much loved. Mr Smith said he was a colleague and friend and had known him throughout his ministry.
Everyone who knew him loved him Tribute to Paul Bennett by Christopher Smith, Church in Wales
"Everyone who knew him loved him," he said."Everyone who knew him loved him," he said.
Det Sup Paul Kemp, who is leading the investigation appealed to anyone in the area of the vicarage between 1400 - 1500 GMT to contact police. He said the church hall was opened on Wednesday night with a "makeshift chapel" inside "so if people want to come and say their prayers, obviously there'll be some priests around to talk to them.
"Over the next few days we'll be continuing that support."
Det Sup Paul Kemp, who is leading the investigation, appealed to anyone in the area of the vicarage between 1400 - 1500 GMT on Wednesday to contact police.
An incident room has been set up at Mountain Ash and anyone with any information is urged to get in touch.An incident room has been set up at Mountain Ash and anyone with any information is urged to get in touch.
Divisional commander Chief Supt Jeff Farrar said: "This is a horrific incident that will undoubtedly shock and alarm the people of Aberdare. Divisional commander Chief Supt Jeff Farrar said police did not believe there was a risk to other people in the community, and there were many officers on the streets.
"This is a very quiet area with very little crime - it's an isolated incident and appears a strange set of circumstances," said Chief Supt Farrar.
"This is a horrific incident that will undoubtedly shock and alarm the people of Aberdare.
"I would like to reassure the community that we have arrested a man and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this stage.""I would like to reassure the community that we have arrested a man and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at this stage."
He said there woud be "a high-profile police presence in the area over the next few days both to provide reassurance and support to the community of Aberdare and to assist the enquiry team by speaking to members of the public who may have information." He said there woud be "a high-profile police presence in the area over the next few days both to provide reassurance and support to the community of Aberdare and to assist the inquiry team by speaking to members of the public who may have information."
He added: "Our thoughts are with the family of Father Bennett at this time and I urge anyone with information to come forward."He added: "Our thoughts are with the family of Father Bennett at this time and I urge anyone with information to come forward."
Mr Bennett's wife and children are with family liaison officers who are supporting them.
Anyone with information can contact the incident room at Mountain Ash police station on 01443 743678 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.Anyone with information can contact the incident room at Mountain Ash police station on 01443 743678 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.