Vatican Declares Cuban Priest Felix Varela ‘Venerable’

HAVANA TIMES, April 11 — Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday gave his approval to the granting of the status of “venerable” to 19th century Cuban priest Felix Varela, reports El Nuevo Herald.

The decision, announced on Easter Sunday by New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, was accompanied by a unanimous recommendation of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Thanks to this category, the former Cuban religious leader could be beatified in recognition of a miracle attributed to him, and canonized in recognition of a second miracle.