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Services remember murdered vicar Wife 'witnessed vicar's murder'
(30 minutes later)
Services are due to take place in memory of a vicar stabbed to death at a south Wales village church. Police investigating the murder of a vicar in the grounds of his church have revealed his wife was with him when he was attacked.
Father Paul Bennett, 59, was killed in the grounds of St Fagans Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, on Wednesday afternoon. Father Paul Bennett, 59, was killed in the grounds of St Fagan's Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, on Wednesday. It is believed he was stabbed.
A 23-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder is still being questioned by police. Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan said the loss was "immeasurable".
A service will take place at St Luke's Church in Cwmdare at 0930 GMT. Another service will be held at a local school. Detectives are continuing to question a 23-year-old man in connection with the vicar's death.
Father Bennett took weekly assemblies at St John the Baptist High School in Aberdare and also went there every day to collect his grandson. Memorial services for the father-of-two will take place on Thursday morning.
Pupils will say special prayers in his memory on Thursday morning. Chief Superintendent Jeff Farrar said: "Father Bennett was a well-respected, popular member of the community and it's a shocking and horrific event for Aberdare.
They will also be offered counselling by church ministers. The school's head teacher said everyone there was "absolutely shocked". "We are interviewing the individual who was arrested there yesterday. It would probably be too early for me to confirm the exact circumstances of that."
He added: "His wife was there at the scene when he was killed."
Police were called to St Fagans Church at about 1450 GMT on Wednesday where they found the body of Father Bennett.Police were called to St Fagans Church at about 1450 GMT on Wednesday where they found the body of Father Bennett.
His wife, Georgina, had found him fatally injured.
The church was cordoned off and scenes of crime officers carried out a forensic search of the area throughout the night.The church was cordoned off and scenes of crime officers carried out a forensic search of the area throughout the night.
A post mortem examination is due to be held on Thursday.A post mortem examination is due to be held on Thursday.
Shocked parishioners congregated at the adjacent church hall where prayers were said and candles lit in memory of Father Bennett, who had been vicar at the church since 2002. Shocked parishioners congregated at the adjacent church hall on Wednesday evening where prayers were said and candles lit in memory of Father Bennett.
People at the meeting paid tribute to the father-of-two. Archbishop Morgan, said: "The loss to his family and parish is immeasurable."
Lynwen Nicholas said: "People lit candles and prayed for him - everyone was very upset. He described Father Bennett, who had been a vicar for 22 years and at Trecynon for five, as "very shy" and "devout".
"He was a lovely man. When he said something he spoke from the heart. He said: "What was remarkable last night was that the parishioners had set up and altar in the church.
"He will be badly missed." "Local people came to say prayers and to light candles but a lot of young people also came.
Another parishioner, Rhydfan Eynon, said: "Everyone is very upset and shocked. "The work of a parish priest goes on very quietly and they touch the lives of a lot of people and nobody else knows about that kind of ministry."
'Much-loved' Local residents have spoken of the scene as police arrived at the church.
"He was very charismatic - a family man and I couldn't believe it when I heard what had happened."
The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, joined parishioners to pay his respects and added his tribute.
He said: "He was highly thought of and respected and much-loved by parishioners and members of the community."
South Wales Police are continuing to question a 23-year-old man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.
Local residents spoke of the scene as police arrived at the church.
Malcolm Perry, who lives in Windsor Street, next to St Fagans Church, said: "There were lots of police everywhere, rushing into the vicarage followed by the ambulance.Malcolm Perry, who lives in Windsor Street, next to St Fagans Church, said: "There were lots of police everywhere, rushing into the vicarage followed by the ambulance.
"The police were at the scene very quickly. "The police were at the scene very quickly. I saw a man being taken away by two or three officers."
"I saw a man being taken away by two or three officers." A memorial service will take place at St Luke's Church in Cwmdare at 0930 GMT on Thursday. Another service will be held at a local school.
Father Bennett took weekly assemblies at St John the Baptist High School in Aberdare and also went their every day to collect his grandson.
Pupils will say special prayers in his memory.
They will also be offered counselling by church ministers. The school's head teacher said everyone there was "absolutely shocked".