Bishop of Orange in California
Kevin William Vann was born in Springfield, Illinois, on May 10, 1951. After attending Saint Agnes School and Griffin High School, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He entered the seminary in 1976, attending the Immaculate Conception Diocesan Seminary in Springfield and later Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Subsequently, he obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Angelicum in Rome. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois on May 30, 1981, he served as Parochial Vicar of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield (1985–1990); Defender of the Bond (1985–1994); Judge of the Tribunal of Appeal for the Ecclesiastical Province of Chicago (1985–1994); Parish Administrator of Saint Mary Parish in Pittsfield, Holy Redeemer Parish in Barry, and Holy Family Parish in Griggsville (1989–1990); Pastor of Saint Benedict Parish in Auburn (1990–1992), while also serving as Parish Administrator of Saint Mary Parish in Pawnee (1991); Pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Decatur (1992–2001), while also serving as Parish Administrator of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit in Mt. Zion (1995), Saint Isidore Parish in Bethany, and Sacred Heart Parish in Dalton City (1995–1997); Vicar Forane (1996–2001); Bishop’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of Springfield (1999–2005); and Vicar for Clergy and Pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish (2001–2005). Appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Fort Worth, Texas, on May 17, 2005, he succeeded to that See on July 12, 2005, and received episcopal consecration on July 13, 2005. Within the Episcopal Conference, he is a member of the Committee on Canonical Affairs and Church Governance and the Committee on Migration. Furthermore, he serves as the Episcopal Liaison to the Catholic Health Association. In addition to English, he knows Italian, Latin, and Spanish.