Vatican Hints at Fulton Sheen Beatification

It’s been a seven-year delay, but it’s happening. A report from the Vatican has hinted at a potential beatification of the true son of the church, Venerable Fulton Sheen.

Sheen was originally supposed to be beatified in Chicago in 2019, but there was a delay from the Diocese of Rochester that placed it in limbo due to “further investigation”. Then, we had a global scamdemic. Now, we have waited so long for the great orator of Catholicism of the 20th Century be one step closer to sainthood.

The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable.

On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification.

Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but this was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's alleged assignment of a priest who had been the subject of a 1963 sexual misconduct case might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General.

The Diocese of Peoria countered that the priest had been assigned not by Sheen but by his successor, and that Sheen had been "exonerated" following a thorough examination of the matter, having "never put children in harm's way."

Sheen is known for his Emmy-winning show “Life Is Worth Living”. He is the author of 73 books and numerous articles.

Miraculous Healing of James Sheen Engstrom

In 2010, Bonnie Engstrom was to give birth to her son, James Fulton Engstrom. After delivery, he was stillborn. As the hospital was getting ready to pronounce him dead after 61 minutes, the baby had a pulse. The miracle was approved in 2019 by Pope Francis.

The Vatican will announce a date for Sheen’s beatification as it will likely happen in Peoria, IL.