Following the publication of Health Inspectorate of Wales’ report into the homocide of Father Paul Bennett in March 2007, the Archbishop of Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, said:
“Father Paul Bennett was a compassionate and diligent priest who cared deeply for all his parishioners and is still very much missed.
“I welcome the report by Healthcare Inspectorate of Wales and trust that all its recommendations will be taken on board to lessen the chances of anything like this from ever happening again. I am encouraged that the organisations involved have apologised for the failures highlighted in the report and have not tried to sweep them under the carpet.
“It is difficult to know whether or not the killing of Father Paul could have been predicted or prevented, looking at it as we are with hindsight. What is clear, however, is that there were two tragedies here – firstly, Father Paul’s death and secondly, the failure of society generally to notice the increasingly desperate circumstances of his killer, Geraint Evans, as he grew up and to recognise his many cries for help before it was too late. Perhaps Evans’ tragedy reveals the stigma we attach to mental health – an area which sadly remains the Cinderella of the health service.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Fr Paul’s family and the community of Trecynon.”
