Varlet, Dominique Marie

Varlet, Dominique Marie a French prelate, was born in Paris; March 15, 1678. His father, who eventually became a hermit of Mount Valerian, had early destined him for the Church, and he entered the seminary of St. Magloire, where in 1706 he received ordination and the diploma of doctor. He served soon after as curate of Conflans Charenton; but, becoming attached to the doctrines of the Port-Royalists, he opposed the bull Unigenitus, and in consequence left for America in 1711, where he instructed the inhabitants of Louisiana. He was recalled to Europe, and appointed bishop of Ascalon and coadjutor of the bishop of Babylon (Sept. 17, 1718); and after consecration (Feb. 19, 1719) he sailed from Amsterdam, crossed Russia, and took up his residence at the court of Persia, in Hamadan. He was soon deposed by the pope, however; and after settling in Amsterdam (1720)'he finally appealed from the bull of the pope (Feb. 15, 1723), but, nevertheless, gave ordination to four recusant ecclesiastics at Utrecht, publishing in his defense his Apologies (Amst. 1724-27). He died at Rhynwick, near Utrecht, May 14,' 1742. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Géneralé, s.v.