Kevin William Vann (born May 10, 1951) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who has been serving as bishop of the Diocese of Orange in Southern California since 2012. Vann previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth in Texas from 2005 to 2012.
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.
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]
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)
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] The episcopal ordination went on as scheduled, and on July 13, 2005, 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][9]
In 2004, Vann said that he would be "reticent" in giving communion to US Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), a former parishioner at Blessed Sacrament, whose "pro-choice position puts him really outside of communion or unity with the Church's teachings on life".[10][11]
"We cannot make more clear the seriousness of the overriding issue of abortion—while not the only issue—it is the defining moral issue, not only today, but of the last 35 years ... As Catholics we are morally obligated to pray, to act, and to vote to abolish the evil of abortion in America."[12]
The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in south central Illinois in the United States. The mother church is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.
The Diocese of Fort Worth is a Latin Church diocese of the Catholic Church in North Texas in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese of the metropolitan Archdiocese of San Antonio.
The Diocese of Orange is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church that covers all of Orange County, California, in the United States.
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