Cuban priest declared venerable
April 10, 2012
Pope Benedict has declared Father Félix Varela (1788-1853) venerable, according to the Archdiocese of Miami.
“In his homily in Havana, Pope Benedict called Father Felix Varela ‘a shining example’ of the contributions a person of faith can make in building a more just society,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski. “Varela in his own words reminds us that ‘there is no authentic fatherland without virtue.’ In recognizing this holy priest’s heroic virtue by conferring on him the title of ‘Venerable,’ the pope offers to the world a role model who in being ‘the first to teach his people how to think’ also show us a path to a true transformation of society.”
Father Varela represented Cuba in the Spanish parliament and called for the abolition of slavery. Exiled from Cuba in 1823, he ministered for the last three decades of his life in New York City.
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Further information:
- Pope Benedict declares Father Felix Varela as venerable (Archdiocese of Miami)
- Pope brings Cuban-born priest Felix Varela closer to sainthood (Miami Herald)
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