
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
“God writes His name on the soul of every person. Reason and conscience are the God within us in the natural order. Human beings are like so many books issuing from the Divine press, and if nothing else be written on them, at least the name of the Author is indissolubly engraved on the title page. God is like the watermark on paper, which may be written over without ever being obscured. Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Life of Christ)
Information about the Delay of the Beatification
https://celebratesheen.com/
Venerable Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen
Bishop Jenky invites all of the faithful to join him in praying a Novena for the success of the Cause of Fulton Sheen. The Novena began on December 12, the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Find a link to the Novena here.
We continue to pray in support of his beatification.
- 47-Page Program of the Installation of Fulton J. Sheen
- Signed Letter Indicating Bishop Fulton J. Sheen’s Preparations for the II Vatican Council
- Letter From Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Signed and Dated, 1967
- The Eternal Galilean, Autograph of Fulton J. Sheen
- The Eternal Galilean, Published 1956< Signed Copy
- Autographed Copy of Peace of Soul, Published 1949
- Autographed Copy of Peace of Soul, Published 1949
- First Edition of Go To Heaven, Signed
- First Edition of Go To Heaven, Signed
- The Most Rev. Fulton J. Sheen & Pope Pius XII
- Bishop Fulton J. Sheen & Pope John XXIII
- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and Pope Paul VI
- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen & Pope John Paul II
Although the Archbishop’s cause for sainthood was expected to be soon, a disagreement between the Dioceses of Peoria and New York suspended his cause indefinitely despite the myriad calls for beatification. That was followed by a return of his body to Peoria, a scheduled beatification for Dec. 21, 2019, and as of Dec. 1, 2019, an indefinite delay at the request of some members of the National Council of Catholic Bishops.
We look forward to the day of his beatification.
The Diocese of Rochester appreciates the many accomplishments that Archbishop Sheen achieved in his lifetime in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide through media, thereby bringing the message of Jesus to a vast audience. His legacy in the area of communications made him a prophet in the future use of mass media to advance the teachings of Jesus, a phenomenon recognized by Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
At the same time, a person’s cause for beatification must entail a review of the person’s entire life. In this regard, the Diocese of Rochester has considered the tenure of Archbishop Sheen as the Bishop of Rochester. The Diocese of Rochester, prior to any announcements of the beatification, provided the Diocese of Peoria and the Congregation for the Causes of Saints through the Office of the Apostolic Nuncio with documentation that expressed concern about advancing the cause for the beatification of Archbishop Sheen at this time without a further review of his role in priests’ assignments. Other prelates shared these concerns and expressed them. There are no complaints against Archbishop Sheen engaging in any personal inappropriate conduct, nor were any insinuations made in this regard.
The Diocese of Rochester did its due diligence in this matter and believed that, while not casting suspicion, it was prudent that Archbishop Sheen’s cause receive further study and deliberation, while also acknowledging the competency of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to render its decision. The Holy See ultimately decided to postpone the beatification.
A beatification process reminds us that we are all called to be saints to live with the Lord eternally in heaven, praying that the Lord judges us worthy to behold Him face to face in that beatific vision that brings everlasting joy. From his place with the Lord, Archbishop Sheen enjoys eternal peace and joy in the everlasting presence of God, Our Father, whom he did serve with dedication and zeal for the salvation of souls.
The Diocese will be making no further comments.