Televangelist Archbishop Fulton Sheen beatified

Blessed Fulton Sheen, who played a major role in evangelisation in the media, is the first US-born bishop to be declared Blessed. The principal celebrant of the beatification Mass was Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, papal legate for the occasion.

Cardinal Tagle conveyed greetings from Pope Leo XIV – an Illinois native like Blessed Sheen – who “rejoices at the beatification of his fellow countryman, his fellow Illinoisan and brother bishop”.

Blessed Sheen taught philosophy and theology at various institutions including the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. He was also a prolific author of both scholarly and popular works, and a renowned orator.

Blessed Sheen had a radio programme – The Catholic Hour – for two decades before becoming the host of Life is Worth Living for the DuMont Television Network and later the American Broadcasting Network, which made him a household name.

He championed racial justice in word and deed and became increasingly vocal in his opposition to US involvement in Vietnam.

Blessed Sheen was a Father of the Second Vatican Council and was an advocate – early and staunch – for the global south, which he came to know in part through his years as US national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, a position he held from 1950 to 1966.

Cardinal Tagle praised Blessed Sheen’s missionary spirit and his passionate dedication to spreading the Gospel.

Quoting the apostolic letter of Pope Leo XIV declaring Archbishop Sheen a Blessed, Cardinal Tagle described him as “a tireless preacher of the Gospel through the modern means of communication and a diligent shepherd animated by missionary zeal”.

The cardinal also noted Blessed Sheen’s championing of the poor and quoted the archbishop’s 1964 remarks to the Council.

“As only a wounded Christ could convert a doubting Thomas, so only a Church wounded by poverty can convert a doubting world.”

Cardinal Tagle also praised Blessed Sheen’s diligent care for persons – flesh and blood – in their woundedness.

Pope Leo XIV has established Blessed Fulton Sheen’s feast day as December 9.

FULL STORY

Fulton J. Sheen declared Blessed in St. Louis (Crux Now)

Televangelist Archbishop Fulton Sheen beatified in St Louis – one step closer to sainthood (Religion News Service)