Catholic365 Live Guest Panel Explores Sheen's Legacy Ahead of Beatification

Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s approaching beatification offers Catholics an opportunity to renew their commitment to prayer and evangelization, guests said during a September 8 Catholic365 livestream.

Hosted by Hugh Macken, Jr, the discussion featured theologian Dr. Peter Howard, CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhardt, and Bishop Joseph Coffey, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.

Reinhardt described Sheen’s broadcasting as a model for communicating Catholic teaching with conviction and love. “Clarity is charity,” she said, emphasizing that his treatment of difficult subjects left audiences convinced that he cared about them. She also discussed how his example informs CatholicVote’s work and its Zeale media project.

Bishop Coffey recalled discovering Sheen through recordings of Life Is Worth Living and reading his autobiography in seminary. He highlighted Sheen’s commitment to a daily Holy Hour, a practice he said he has sought to follow in his priesthood.

Dr. Howard stressed Sheen’s approach to evangelization through the wounds and struggles of the human person. He argued that personal holiness, expressed in the lives of believers, remains essential to reaching others.

The conversation also previewed the Fulton Sheen: America’s Saint Conference, scheduled for September 23 at the Hilton St. Louis Frontenac, ahead of Sheen’s September 24 beatification Mass in St. Louis. Howard, Reinhardt and Bishop Coffey are among the conference speakers.

The discussion appears below. Conference information, in-person tickets and virtual passes are available through the event website. The virtual pass includes live conference access and recordings afterward for those unable to travel to St. Louis.

Tickets for the Beatification Mass are available at CelebrateSheen.com.