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Wife 'witnessed vicar's murder' Wife 'witnessed vicar's murder'
(10 minutes later)
Police investigating the murder of a vicar in the grounds of his church have revealed his wife was with him when he was attacked.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 Fagan's Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, on Wednesday. It is believed he was stabbed.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.
Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan said the loss was "immeasurable".Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan said the loss was "immeasurable".
Detectives are continuing to question a 23-year-old man in connection with the vicar's death.Detectives are continuing to question a 23-year-old man in connection with the vicar's death.
Memorial services for the father-of-two will take place on Thursday morning.Memorial services for the father-of-two will take place 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.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.
"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.""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."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.
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 on Wednesday evening where prayers were said and candles lit in memory of Father Bennett.Shocked parishioners congregated at the adjacent church hall on Wednesday evening where prayers were said and candles lit in memory of Father Bennett.
Archbishop Morgan, said: "The loss to his family and parish is immeasurable."Archbishop Morgan, said: "The loss to his family and parish is immeasurable."
He described Father Bennett, who had been a vicar for 22 years and at Trecynon for five, as "very shy" and "devout".He described Father Bennett, who had been a vicar for 22 years and at Trecynon for five, as "very shy" and "devout".
He said: "What was remarkable last night was that the parishioners had set up and altar in the church.He said: "What was remarkable last night was that the parishioners had set up and altar in the church.
"Local people came to say prayers and to light candles but a lot of young people also came."Local people came to say prayers and to light candles but a lot of young people also came.
"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.""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."
Forensic officers searched the scene during the night
Local residents have spoken of the scene as police arrived at the church.Local residents have spoken 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. I saw a man being taken away by two or three officers.""The police were at the scene very quickly. 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.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.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.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".They will also be offered counselling by church ministers. The school's head teacher said everyone there was "absolutely shocked".