Canon Andrew Willie
writes:
CANON Paul Vann, who died
on 22 February, aged 72, served in the diocese of Monmouth for 42
years, retiring in 2007.
His title was in the
parish of Griffithstown. After two years there, he became curate of
Llanfrechfa, which then included part of the growing new town of
Cwmbran. Here his excellent work with the teenagers of the parish
made him an obvious choice for the post of Diocesan Youth Chaplain,
which he held from 1969 until 1975.
Meanwhile, his spell as
Chaplain at Newport Cathedral was short-lived, but succeeded by two
long incumbencies, one at Llanrumney on the outskirts of Cardiff,
and the second at Machen. These were both in the Bassaleg deanery,
where, for nine years, he also held the office of Area Dean. At
various times he served as Assistant Chaplain to Cardiff Prison,
and Chaplain to the Police, and to the Air Training Corps. In all
matters he was greatly supported by his wife, Heather.
Paul's great success with
young people was the result of his openness and sincerity. There
was also in him something of the rebel, which may have endeared him
to teenagers, but not always to authority. His friends were
surprised and delighted that Dr Rowan Williams, then his diocesan
bishop, had offered him a canonry, and equally surprised and
delighted that he had accepted it.
Paul was a brilliant
pastor, saving a suicide from carrying out his intentions, turning
around the life of an aimless and depressed young man who
subsequently became a parish priest, and encouraging all sorts of
vocations. There were achievements of nurture which many clergy
would envy.
His death was sudden, but we trust that he is now in paradise
with the Lord whom he loved.
