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/6518431.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Stabbed vicar funeral to be held Mourners gather for vicar funeral
(about 9 hours later)
The funeral of Father Paul Bennett, who was found stabbed to death outside his vicarage, is due to take place. The funeral service for Father Paul Bennett, found stabbed to death outside his vicarage, has taken place.
The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, will preside over the Requiem Mass at St Fagans Church in Trecynon, Aberdare - Father Bennett's former ministry. The Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan, presided over the Requiem Mass at St Fagan's Church in Trecynon, Aberdare - Father Bennett's former ministry.
Senior members of the clergy in Wales will be attending the hour-long service, which takes place at 1200 BST and will be followed by a cremation. Many of the 500 mourners began arriving at 1000 BST ahead of the hour-long funeral, which began at 1200 BST and was followed by a cremation service.
A local man aged 23 has been charged with murder and remanded in custody. A local man, aged 23, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody.
Father Bennett's family, including his wife Georgina, son Nigel and daughter Emma, will be at the funeral, but will not attend the cremation at Llwydcoed Crematorium. The funeral cortège made its way the short distance from the vicarage, where the 59-year-old lived with his wife Georgina, children Emma and Nigel, and 11-year-old grandson John, to St Fagan's church next door.
Archbishop Barry Morgan took Father Bennett's induction service when he moved to the parish five years ago. Loudspeakers relayed the service to those standing outside
Rt Rev David Yeoman, a life-long friend of Father Bennett's, will be paying tribute to him. There were tears as John walked into the church carrying a posy of purple freesias, which were placed onto his grandfather's coffin.
Also present will be the former Bishop of Llandaff, Rt Rev Roy Davies and Provincial Assistant Bishop David Thomas. Loudspeakers were set up outside the 18th Century building so those unable to get inside the packed church could hear the service.
Hymns will include Lord Enthroned In Heavenly Splendour, Tell Out My Soul, One More Step Along The Way and Take My Life and Let It Be. The service was led by the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, who described Father Bennett as "a man of the people".
The assistant bishop of Llandaff, the Right Reverend David Yeoman, paid tribute to his friend and colleague.
He told the congregation: "I first met Paul 30 years ago when I was the vicar Ystrad Rhondda.
Hundreds and hundreds of them filed into his church hall to light candles and pray for him Rev Yeoman
"It did not take me long to realise how much that little church depended on Paul because he took services and played the organ, often at the same service. He led the Sunday school, served at the altar, took confirmation classes and even led the odd discussion group and that was 1o years before he was ordained.
"And so I was not surprised when he eventually came to see me to say that he thought he had a vocation to the ordained ministry. The only thing that surprised me was that he had not come before."
He went on to describe his friend as "humble" and "meticulous about everything".
"As somebody said to me when I visited the parish a few days after his death, he was a man of God and a man of the people," he added.
"And I always felt that his great love and care for people helped them to see something of God's love in their lives and, as we know, he was as much at home in the community as he was in his three churches."
Rev Yeoman said services taken by Father Bennett were relaxed and often humorous, but he was a "committed and dedicated priest".
He said: "We are all struggling to come to terms with the unbelievably tragic nature of Paul's death.
"We share the grief of his family, the parish community and the people of Trecynon.
"Hundreds and hundreds of them filed into his church hall to light candles and pray for him."
Memorial fundMemorial fund
A memorial fund was set up to help Father Bennett's family and parishes across the country have been pledging collections for them. The money will be given to his widow. Hymns sung at the service included Lord Enthroned In Heavenly Splendour, Tell Out My Soul, One More Step Along The Way and Take My Life and Let It Be - said to be Father Bennett's favourite hymns.
Father Bennett's family asked mourners to give donations to the charity Operation Christmas Child rather than send flowers.
A memorial fund was set up to help them and parishes across the country have been pledging collections. The money will be given to his widow.
The family have said they no longer wish to remain at St Fagan's vicarage, although no date has been set for them to move out.The family have said they no longer wish to remain at St Fagan's vicarage, although no date has been set for them to move out.
A Church in Wales spokeswoman said there was no pressure for them to move.
They would be offered the opportunity to move into a vacated church property or somewhere would be rented for them to give them time to make long-term plans, she added.
Geraint David Evans has been charged with murdering Father Bennett on 14 March and is due to re-appear in court on 1 June.Geraint David Evans has been charged with murdering Father Bennett on 14 March and is due to re-appear in court on 1 June.