Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

Parishes across the country are pledging collections for the family of murdered vicar Father Paul Bennett. They will also be praying for the bereaved family as they prepare for Father Paul’s funeral on Tuesday. The money collected during services in churches over the next few weeks will be given to Father Paul’s widow, Georgina. 

Archbishop of Wales, Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, said clergy and parishioners were keen to support Father Paul’s family in a practical way. He said;

Many of Father Paul’s colleagues in the church have asked how they can help Georgina and the family and we think this is an appropriate way. Collections from services will be taken or plates placed at the back of churches for parishioners to contribute as they wish and all the money will be given to the family.

A collection will be taken at the Chrism Eucharist at Llandaff Cathedral on Maundy Thursday while the collection taken during the Governing Body of the Church in Wales after Easter will also be given to the fund.

Offers of support have come across the border too. Revd Tony Shutt of St Mary’s in Send, Woking, is also doing a collection. He says,

Most of us parish clergy will have some experience of being on the doorstep of our homes trying to deal with difficult and potentially treacherous people. So I can truly feel for what has happened to Paul and his family and community. I want to honour Paul’s life and death in a practical way.

Father Paul was stabbed to death on the steps of his vicarage. Geraint David Evans, 23 and from Trecynon, near Aberdare, has been charged with murder and remanded in custody. His funeral will be a requiem mass at St Fagans Church on Tuesday at 12 noon and will be followed by a cremation at Llwydcoed Crematorium at 2pm.

Contributions, made payable to the Father Paul Bennett Memorial Fund, should be sent to the Representative Body of the Church in Wales, 39 Cathedral Road, Cardiff, CF11 9XF.

Item from: The Church in Wales