Early life and education
The eldest of six children, Kevin Vann was born on May 10, 1951, in Springfield, Illinois, to William and Theresa (née Jones) Vann. [2] William was a postal worker and Theresa a nurse and clinical instructor at St. John's Hospital in Springfield.
After graduating from Griffin High School in Springfield, Vann entered Springfield College. In 1974, he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. After graduating from Millikin, Vann worked as a medical technologist at St. John's Hospital. [3]
In 1976, after deciding to become a priest, Vann entered the Immaculate Conception Diocesan Seminary in Springfield. He then went to Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri one year later, finishing there in 1981 [3] [4]
Priesthood
Vann was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois by Bishop Joseph McNicholas at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield on May 30, 1981. [2]
After his 1981 ordination, Vann traveled to Rome to the seminary at the Pontifical North American College. He was awarded a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in early 1985. [4] [5]
After Vann's return to Springfield in 1985, the diocese assigned him as parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish. [5] During this time, he served as judge, defender of the bond, and procurator on the diocesan tribunal from 1985 to 1994, also serving on the metropolitan court of appeals for the Province of Chicago. Between 1989 and 1990, Vann was also parochial administrator of St. Mary Parish in Pittsfield, Illinois, Holy Redeemer Parish in Barry, Illinois, and Holy Family Parish in Griggsville, Illinois.
Vann was pastor of St. Benedict Parish in Auburn, Illinois (1990–1992) and later of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur, Illinois (1992–2001). While serving at Our Lady of Lourdes, he was also:
- Judicial vicar for the Inter-diocesan Tribunal of Second Instance for the Province of Chicago (1994–2005)
- Parochial administrator of St. Isidore Parish in Bethany, Illinois, Sacred Heart Parish in Dalton City (1995–1997), and Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Parish in Mount Zion (1995)
- Dean of the Decatur deanery from 1996 to 2001
- Bishop's contact for the Hispanic ministry in 1999
Vann also taught canon law at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary.
Vann became pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in 2001. During his tenure at Blessed Sacrament, he oversaw a $2.2 million capital campaign for refurbishing the church, as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. In addition to his pastoral duties, he was also named vicar for clergy in the diocesan chancery. The Vatican elevated Vann to the rank of honorary chaplain on February 19, 2002.
Coadjutor Bishop and Bishop of Fort Worth
On May 17, 2005, Vann was appointed coadjutor bishop of Fort Worth by Pope Benedict XVI to assist Bishop Joseph Delaney, who was in poor health. [2] Delaney died on July 12, 2005, the day before Vann was to be consecrated as coadjutor bishop. [5] Instead, on July 13, 2006, Vann was consecrated as Bishop of Fort Worth. [5]
Archbishop José Gómez served as his consecrator, with Archbishop Raymond Burke and Bishop George Lucas serving as co-consecrators, at the Daniel-Meyer Coliseum in Fort Worth [2] Vann selected as his episcopal motto In Fide Et Dileccione In Christo Iesu, "In the faith and love in Christ Jesus". [5]
Bishop of Orange
On September 21, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Vann as bishop of Orange to succeed retiring Bishop Tod Brown, Vann was installed on December 10, 2012. [6]
In July 2019, Vann dedicated Christ Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. Originally serving as the Crystal Cathedral, the diocese purchased the building in early 2012 from the bankrupt Robert Schuller Ministries. [7]
On November 1, 2020, Vann sued the former administrator of the Orange Catholic Foundation. Vann claimed that the administrator had defamed him by suggesting Vann wanted to obtain funds from the Foundation for COVID-19 pandemic relief, but actually use them for sex abuse claims against the diocese. [8]
Vann speaks Spanish and Vietnamese. Within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Vann has been a member of the committees on marriage, family life, laity and youth, and the subcommittee on marriage and family life.
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