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Wife 'witnessed vicar's murder' Wife 'witnessed vicar's murder'
(about 4 hours 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. He had been stabbed several times.Father Paul Bennett, 59, was killed in the grounds of St Fagan's Church in Trecynon, near Aberdare, on Wednesday. He had been stabbed several times.
Police have now recovered a knife from the scene. It is thought to be the murder weapon. Police have recovered a knife from the scene. A 23-year-old, named locally as Geraint Evans, is being questioned.
A 23-year-old local man arrested in the church grounds is being questioned. Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has spoken of his shock.
South Wales Police said they were also examining a nearby flat which they believed was connected to the incident. South Wales Police are examining a nearby flat at Maes Rhydwen, where the suspect is believed to have lived.
Meanwhile, memorial services for Father Bennett, a father-of-two, are also taking place on Thursday morning. Scenes of crime officers have been at the block throughout the day.
Around 30 detectives, based at the incident room in Mountain Ash police station, are investigating the crime.
Speaking to BBC Wales, 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.Speaking to BBC Wales, 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." Forensic officers are searching a flat close to the church
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 Fagan's Church at about 1450 GMT on Wednesday where they found the body of the vicar. Police were called to St Fagan's Church at about 1450 GMT on Wednesday where they found the body of the father-of-two.
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. Parishioners have congregated at memorial services at nearby St Luke's Church in Cwmdare.
Shocked parishioners congregated at the adjacent church hall on Wednesday evening where prayers were said and candles lit in memory of Father Bennett. Local councillor Ann Crimmings said the church was packed with people wanting to pay their respects
Archbishop Morgan, said: "The loss to his family and parish is immeasurable." "It was a very emotional service," she said. "The church was full with standing room only and obviously the parishioners were very upset.
The police were at the scene very quickly. I saw a man being taken away by two or three officers Malcolm Perry, neighbour
"This is testament to the type of person Father Bennett was."
Speaking ahead of the service, Archbishop Morgan told BBC Radio Wales: "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 an altar in the church.He said: "What was remarkable last night was that the parishioners had set up an altar in the church.
Parishioners have laid flowers at the scene
"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."
Local residents have spoken of the scene as police arrived at the church. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, said news of the deaths had come as an "appalling shock".
A forensic search is continuing at St Fagan's Church
"I know something of his devoted and selfless ministry in testing conditions, and I can well understand the depth of grief felt by local people, both church members and others in the community," he said.
"Father Paul's family will be especially in our prayers here at Lambeth (Palace) as they come to terms with this terrible tragedy."
Neighbours have spoken of the scene as police arrived at the church.
Malcolm Perry, who lives in Windsor Street, next to St Fagan's 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 Fagan's 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 was held at St Luke's Church in Cwmdare at 0930 GMT on Thursday. Another service is being held at a local school. Referring to the arrested man, Peter Quick said: "I didn't know him. It was just him that lived in the flat.
Pupils will say prayers at St John the Baptist High School in Aberdare where Father Bennett used to hold assemblies and from where he collected his grandson every day. "I've seen him about. He had been living there for about 12 months and he didn't work."
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.