Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – Venerable Servant of God

Peter John Sheen was born on 8 May 1895 in El Paso, Illinois, and ordained as a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois on 20 September 1919. He taught theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC for 23 years. He was appointed as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. In 1966, he was appointed as Bishop of Rochester, New York. He served as Bishop of Rochester from 21 October 1966 until he resigned on 6 October 1969. Afterwards, he was appointed the Titular Archbishop of Newport, Wales.

 
Fulton Sheen was best known for his evangelization using radio, and television. From 1930 to 1950, he hosted The Catholic Hour on NBC radio. In 1952, he moved over to the medium of television and hosted Life is Worthy Living until 1957. From 1961 to 1968, Bishop Sheen hosted The Fulton Sheen Program which was broadcast in syndication. This latter program earned him two Emmy Awards. 

 
Fulton Sheen was a vocal opponent of political systems that suppressed human freedom, and especially religious freedom.  He wrote and preached against Nazism and Communism and wrote several books in opposition to both including The Church, Communism, and Democracy, and Whence Come Wars.  In the midst of World War Two, Archbishop Sheen wrote in his 1942 book God and War  “This war is not a conflict of systems of politics, though a few superficial minds still think it is; it is a titanic struggle to decide whether the moral law of God shall be the basis of individual and social life, or the physical law of the sword” (pg. 75). 

 
Fulton Sheen was a prolific writer, publishing some 66 books including Three to Get Married, The Priest Is Not His Own, Seven Words to the Cross, and The Armor of God: Reflections and Prayers for Wartime.  Archbishop Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book was re-published by Sophia Institute Press in 2003 for service members serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world for the Global War on Terrorism.  I had a copy of this prayer book with me during my second OIF deployment.

 
Archbishop Sheen died in New York City on 9 December 1979.  

 
In June 2012, Fulton Sheen was declared a “Venerable Servant of God” by Pope Benedict XVI.  Pope Francis approved a miracle attributable to Archbishop Sheen’s intercession on 6 July 2019.  Archbishop Sheen’s beatification was delayed by a New York State Attorney General investigation into all New York Catholic dioceses for the handling of sexual abuse cases and the Diocese of Rochester’s related bankruptcy proceedings.  Allegations were made about Archbishop Sheen’s handling of two accused priests in the Diocese of Rochester.   “We can verify that no accusations were presented in any lawsuit or bankruptcy claim that implicated Sheen in mismanaging his priests.  The Diocese of Peoria believes that it is appropriate to proceed to a Beatification at this time,”  Monsignor Jason Gray, Executive Director of the Fulton Sheen Foundation, informed me in a 29 July 2025 email.  According to Msgr. Gray, the Vatican and the U.S. bishops will determine when to proceed with Archbishop Sheen’s beatification.  

 
For now, we the faithful should pray in earnest that Archbishop Sheen receives the recognition that he earned in a lifetime of service to God, Church and humanity.  I humbly beseech our most merciful Father in Heaven to remove all barriers to Archbishop Sheen’s beatification and canonization and bestow on him the holy honors he so rightfully deserves in the name of His Son Our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

 
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen used emerging new technologies in mass communication to powerfully bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to millions and millions of people over the course of his earthly life.  As the Church works to continue its evangelizing mission of faith, the example and intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will aid that effort immeasurably.  

A Prayer for the Canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen…

 
Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people. If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

IMPRIMATUR+ Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.Bishop of Peoria

(Used with permission)