Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1914-02-14
Philosopher in Cuba and Repre-
sentative to the Spanish
COrtes.
Purchased Christ Church From
Episcopalians For Bishop
Dubois.
FOUNDED HALF.ORPHAN ASYLUM
e. N Canada, Gent supt.

Among the pioneer priests and
most jealous colaborers with Bishop
Dubois in the diocese of New York
was the Very Rev. Felix Varela,
i ID, D., whose death sixty-one years
ago is noted in our Catholic chron-
ology under date of February IS.
He spent the last thirty years of
his life in New York, devoted mis-
sionary, a founder of churches and
an editor of publications for the de-
fence of the faith, displaying an ex-
traordinary charity and an I'M
bounded zeal that made him uni
versally loved and respected.
Father Varela was a Cuban, hav-
ing been born in Havana, November
20, 1888. After his ordination in
1911 by Don Juan Jose Diaz Espada
y Landa, the second Bishop of
Havana, his conspicuous learning
was recognized by an appointment to
the chair of philosophy in the Col
lege of San Carlos in his native city.
In writing of his career as professor
Father Juan Crespo Alvarez, @. M,
Vice Rector of the College of
Matanzas, says: "Of all native
Cubans Father Varela must be ac-
counted the most worthy of the
name of philosopher. He illumined
his chair with a brilliancy surpassed
by none" He was the author of
course in philosophy, 'Tnstitutiones
Philosophical" which was published
in Spanish and Latin. So much was
his learning valued and so highly
was he personally esteemed that he
was elected as representative OF
Cuba in the Spanish Cortes at
Madrid, but on the proclamation of
the liberal constitution consequent
upon the military instruction OF
1920 Father Varela was prescribed
and in 1923 ne came to the United
States, arriving in New York on
December II of that year, during
the administration of Bishop Con-
molly.
Having friends in Philadelphia he
paid long visit to that city to
perfect himself in English, and
while there he published a Spanish
periodical, Ell Habanaero, which
had a wide circulation among the
Spanish residents and merchants of
that city and New York. When
master of English he removed to
New York and was assigned as as
sistant at old st. Peters. At that
time there were but three churches
in the city, st. Peters, st. Patrick's
and st. Mary's, and Bishop Dubois
found that a fourth one was sadly
needed The task of founding it he
gave to Father Varela, who in
I...tc
church from the Episcopalians with
his own funds and money advanced
by his friends, the Spanish mer-
chants. The church stood on Ann
street then, and after the necessary
alterations 1t was solemnly dedi-
Gated by Bishop Dubois on July Is
of the same year. The parish pros
pered from the beginning and from
1t sprang two other churches in a
short time, the Church of the
TRANSPORTATION, then on Chambers
street, and st. James church, then
and now on James street. Father
Varela was the pastor of Christ |
church from it's establishment until |
1885, and from then until his death |
of the TRANSPORTATION. II
Although summoned to attend the |
first Provincial Council of Balti- |
more, which opened October 4, 1929,
Bishop Dubois, having contemplated |
for some time visit to Rome, sailed |
from New York on the good ship De |
Rham on September 20, leaving his |
diocese in charge of Fathers Varela
and John Powers as Vicar General. |
II was then that Father Varela
founded what was called the Half
Orphan Asylum as a refuge for chill
dren left with only one parent. the
nucleus of the necessary funds being
a gift of $500 from one Of his devout
parishioners.
With all his Jealous activities he
found time TO defend the church, its
doctrines and practices. which in
hose days of bigotry were assailed
with a persistent venom. He pub
ished '"The Protestant Abridger and
in 1880; the Catholic
Exposition and Literary Magazine in
l841, to say nothing Of his splendid
iefense of Catholicism In his Let
ers to Elpidius," besides which he
vas constant and able contributor
20 the New York Weekly Register
md Catholic Diary, OF which Father
Joseph A. Schneider was the editor
lie was resourceful conversation
list and his clear and logical writ
ngs commanded general attention.
: During his thirty years OF active
life In New York he had seen
hurches and institutions multiplied.
he numbers of priests constantly !
rowing and the progress OF religion
N mark al that Nav Vorlr uaa m, Az | I
Metropolitan see under Archbishop
hughes. with Bishop McCloskey,
fterward Cardinal. as coadjutor. l
Tut toward the end his health began
0 fail and he was induced to take J
est In the more genial climate OF
florida. He never returned, for he
led In ST. Augustine on February Q
3. 1853. attended In his last mo-
- u