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Prayer service for stabbed vicar Prayer service for stabbed vicar
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of people are attending a prayer service to remember a vicar stabbed to death outside his church. More than 300 people have attended a service held to remember a vicar killed outside his church in south Wales.
Father Paul Bennett, 59, was killed at St Fagan's Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare in south Wales on Wednesday. Father Paul Bennett, 59, was stabbed to death in the grounds of St Fagan's church in Trecynon, near Aberdare.
Geraint David Evans, 23, from the same village, appeared in court on Friday charged with the father of two's murder and was remanded in custody. The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, led the service and said the community was "still in a state of shock after the horrendous events of the week".
The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, is leading the service at St Fagan's church. Geraint David Evans, 23, from the same village, has appeared in court charged with the father of two's murder.
Archbishop Morgan instituted Father Bennett into the parish five years ago. St Fagan's church was filled with members of the local community, including many children, for the service on Sunday morning.
In the church hall hundreds of bunches of flowers, cards and presents have been left at a shrine in memory of the parish priest. 'State of shock'
Prayers will be said for the repose of Father Paul, for his family in their great sadness and for the community Rt Reverend Dr David Yeoman During the sermon Archbishop Morgan, who instituted Father Bennett into the parish five years ago, prayed for him and his family.
Police were called to St Fagan's church at about 1450 GMT on Wednesday where they found Father Bennett's body. Members of Father Bennett's family did not attend the service.
Speaking before Sunday morning's service, assistant bishop the Rt Reverend Dr David Yeoman of Llandaff said prayers would be said for Father Bennett's family and the community. Archbishop Morgan said that although the community was "still in a state of shock after the horrendous events of the week we can pray and give thanks for Father Paul".
Dr Yeoman, who worked with Father Bennett for 30 years, said: "Prayers will be said for the repose of Father Paul, for his family in their great sadness and for the community in which Father Paul ministered which has responded so caringly to the news of his death. Later in the service he encouraged parishioners to pray for all victims and perpetrators of war and violence.
"The service will also express our hope and trust in the love of God to which Father Paul witnessed so faithfully throughout his ministry," he added. Hundreds of bunches of flowers and cards were left at a shrine in the church hall in memory of the parish priest.
Father Bennett trained as a priest in the Llandaff diocese and spent his entire ministry in south Wales.Father Bennett trained as a priest in the Llandaff diocese and spent his entire ministry in south Wales.
Many of the parishioners who laid floral tributes to him and signed the book of condolence in Trecynon are attending the service. Parishioners held a candlelit vigil at the church hall after his death and laid floral tributes to him and signed the book of condolence in Trecynon.
Parishioners also held a candlelit vigil at the church hall after his death. Police were called to St Fagan's church at about 1450 GMT on Wednesday.
On Friday, Geraint David Evans appeared at Aberdare Magistrates' Court charged with the vicar's murder.On Friday, Geraint David Evans appeared at Aberdare Magistrates' Court charged with the vicar's murder.
He was remanded in custody until 23 March, when he will appear at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.He was remanded in custody until 23 March, when he will appear at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.