Kevin Vann

{{short description|American Catholic prelate}} {{Use American English|date = August 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2012}} {{Infobox Christian leader | type = bishop | honorific-prefix = His Excellency, The Most Reverend | name = Kevin Vann | honorific-suffix = KC*HS | title = Bishop of Orange,<br />Ecclesiastical Delegate for the Pastoral Provision | image = Kevin W Vann (cropped).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Vann in 2017 | native_name = | native_name_lang = | church = | archdiocese = | province = | metropolis = | diocese = | see = Orange | appointed = September 21, 2012 | elected = | enthroned = December 10, 2012 | retired = | predecessor = Tod Brown | successor = | opposed = | other_post =  | ordination = May 30, 1981 | ordained_by = Joseph Alphonse McNicholas | consecration = July 13, 2005 | consecrated_by = José Horacio Gómez, Raymond Leo Burke, George Joseph Lucas | cardinal = | rank =  | birth_name = Kevin William Vann | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|5|10}} | birth_place = Springfield, Illinois, US | death_date =  | death_place = | buried = | nationality = | religion = | residence = | parents = {{ubl|William Vann|Theresa Jones}} | spouse = | children = | occupation = | previous_post = Bishop of Fort Worth (2005-2012) | profession = | alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|Springfield College|Millikin University (1974)|Kenrick-Glennon Seminary (1981)|Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (1985)}} | signature = | coat_of_arms = | motto = {{langnf|la|In fide et dileccione in Christo Iesu|In the faith and love in Christ Jesus|break=yes}} | education = | signature_alt = | coat_of_arms_alt =  | feast_day = | venerated = | saint_title = | beatified_date = | beatified_place = | beatified_by = | canonized_date = | canonized_place = | canonized_by = | attributes = | patronage = | shrine = | suppressed_date =  | other = }} {{Infobox bishopstyles | name= Kevin William Vann | dipstyle= *His Excellency *The Most Reverend | offstyle=Your Excellency | relstyle=Bishop | image = Coat of arms of Kevin William Vann.svg | image_size = 200px }}

'''Kevin William Vann''' (born May 10, 1951) is an American Catholic prelate who serves as Bishop of Orange in California. Vann previously served as Bishop of Fort Worth in Texas from 2005 to 2012.

Vann is the ecclesiastical delegate for the Pastoral Provision for former Anglicans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pastoralprovision.org/home.htm|title=A Message from Most Rev. Bishop Kevin Vann|last=Vann|first=Kevin W.|authorlink=Kevin Vann|website=Pastoral Provision|access-date=August 26, 2019|archive-date=November 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234639/http://www.pastoralprovision.org/home.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="hierarchy" /> 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.<ref name="star-telegram" />

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 <ref name="star-telegram">{{cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/24/4285435/departing-catholic-bishop-vann.html|title=Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "Departing Catholic Bishop Vann was an asset to the broader North Texas community"|date=September 24, 2012|work=Star Telegram|access-date=November 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025222704/https://www.star-telegram.com/2012/09/24/4285435/departing-catholic-bishop-vann.html|archive-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, JCD, D.D. |url=https://www.rcbo.org/leadership/the-most-reverend-kevin-w-vann-jcd-dd/ |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Diocese of Orange |language=en-US}}</ref>

==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.<ref name="hierarchy">{{cite news|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bvannk.html|title=Bishop Kevin William Vann|work=Catholic-Hierarchy.org|access-date=August 26, 2019}}</ref> After his 1981 ordination, Vann traveled to Rome to resided at the Pontifical North American College while studying in that city. He was awarded a Doctor of Canon Law degree from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in early 1985.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Diocese History |url=https://fwdioc.org/history |access-date=2024-02-16 |website=Diocese of Fort Worth |language=en}}</ref>

After Vann's return to Springfield in 1985, the diocese assigned him as parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish.<ref name=":1" /> 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 in 2002. In 2004, Vann, along with Bishop George Lucas, prohibited Senator Dick Durbin from receiving communion due to his positions on abortion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillar |first=The |title=Paprocki ‘shocked’ by Durbin’s Chicago award |url=https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/paprocki-shocked-by-durbins-chicago |access-date=2025-09-20 |website=www.pillarcatholic.com |language=en}}</ref>

== 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.<ref name=hierarchy/> Delaney died on July 12, 2005, the day before Vann was to be consecrated as coadjutor bishop.<ref name=":1" /> The episcopal ordination went on as scheduled, and on July 13, 2005, Vann was consecrated as Bishop of Fort Worth.<ref name=":1" />

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.<ref name="hierarchy" /> Vann selected as his episcopal motto ''In Fide Et Dileccione In Christo Iesu'', "In the faith and love in Christ Jesus".<ref name=":1" />

==Bishop of Orange== thumb|292x292px|Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove, California (2018) On September 21, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Vann as bishop of Orange to succeed the retiring Bishop Tod Brown. Vann was installed on December 10, 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ryan|first=Harriet|date=August 26, 2020|title=O.C.'s bishop, a $12-million problem and a secret fight stretching to the Vatican|url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-08-26/oc-catholic-donors-at-odds-bishop-kevin-vann|access-date=2020-08-28|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Orange diocese to dedicate Christ Cathedral |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/41793/orange-diocese-to-dedicate-christ-cathedral |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Catholic News Agency |language=en |archive-date=November 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241126202344/https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/41793/orange-diocese-to-dedicate-christ-cathedral |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 1, 2020|title=O.C. bishop sues charity administrator who accused Catholic leader of wrongdoing|url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/o-c-bishop-sues-charity-administrator-who-accused-catholic-leader-of-wrongdoing/|access-date=September 12, 2021|work=Los Angeles Times|via=KTLA|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-11-01/o-c-bishop-sues-charity-administrator-who-accused-catholic-leader-go |title=O.C. bishop sues charity administrator who accused Catholic leader of wrongdoing |last=Ryan |first=Harriet |date=November 1, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=June 26, 2024}}</ref>

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.

== Viewpoints ==

=== Abortion === 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".<ref name="durbin">{{cite news |last=Palmo |first=Rocco |author-link=Rocco Palmo |date=December 15, 2005 |title=The Bishop-elect: A Primer |url=https://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2005/12/bishop-elect-primer.html |access-date=August 26, 2019 |work=Whispers in the Loggia}}</ref><ref name="brioso">{{cite news |last=Branch-Brioso |first=Karen |date=June 2, 2004 |title=Self described "Catholic" US Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) boasts of piety: Says Catholic senators generally obey church |url=http://www.catholiccitizens.org/platform/platformview.asp?c=15480 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050119001437/http://www.catholiccitizens.org/platform/platformview.asp?c=15480 |archive-date=January 19, 2005 |access-date=August 26, 2019 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}</ref>

During the 2008 US presidential election, Vann and Bishop Kevin Farrell issued a joint statement in which they declared that<blockquote>"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."<ref name="abortion">{{cite news |last1=Farrell |first1=Kevin J. |author-link=Kevin Farrell |last2=Vann |first2=Kevin W. |author-link2=Kevin Vann |date=October 8, 2008 |title=Joint Statement from Bishop Kevin Farrell and Bishop Kevin Vann to the Faithful of the Dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth |url=http://www.prolifedallas.org/pages/Joint_Statement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014030908/http://prolifedallas.org/pages/Joint_Statement |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |access-date=May 7, 2009 |work=Catholic Pro-Life Committee |df=mdy-all}}</ref></blockquote>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{wikiquote|Kevin William Vann}} {{commonscat}}

*[http://www.rcbo.org/ Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange official website]

==Episcopal succession== {{s-start}} {{s-rel|ca}} {{s-bef|before=Tod David Brown}} {{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Orange|years=2012–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-bef|before=Joseph Patrick Delaney}} {{s-ttl|title=Bishop of Fort Worth|years=2005–2012}} {{s-non|reason=Michael Fors Olson}} {{s-end}}

{{portal bar|Biography|Catholicism|California}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth}} {{Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vann, Kevin William}} Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Benedictine University at Springfield alumni Category:Millikin University alumni Category:Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas alumni Category:Kenrick–Glennon Seminary alumni Category:Roman Catholic bishops of Springfield in Illinois Category:Diocese of Springfield in Illinois Category:Religious leaders from Illinois Category:Catholics from Illinois Category:21st-century Roman Catholic bishops in the United States Category:Bishops appointed by Pope Benedict XVI Category:Members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre