Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Advances on Path to Sainthood!

June 28, 2012 - 1:05 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

For More Information:
Alexis Walkenstein, 561-445-5409 or
AWalkenstein@MaximusMG.com; or
Tim Lilley, 678-990-9032 or
TLilley@MaximusMG.com; or
Kevin Wandra, 678-990-9032 or
KWandra@MaximusMG.com

Cause of Canonization moves forward with papal decree of Venerable

PEORIA, Il (June 28, 2012) - During a private audience today with Cardinal Angelo Amato, S.D.B., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree affirming the heroic virtues of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. This declaration carries with it the title of "Venerable" for one of America's most celebrated and impactful evangelists in the history of the Catholic Church.

This is a monumental second step in the process of the advancement of Sheen's Cause of Canonization for sainthood. Blessed Pope John Paul II declared him Servant of God following initiation of the Cause for Canonization in 2002.

"This is a great day for the Catholic Diocese of Peoria and the Catholic Church in America," said Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, Bishop of Peoria, Ill. "I give thanks to God that the heroic virtues of a son from central Illinois and a priest of Peoria have been recognized by the Catholic Church and he has now been raised to the rank of Venerable. Fulton Sheen's zeal, wisdom, and holiness should help us build our faith."

"Of course, in the timelessness of heaven, it is not a coincidence that the Church would render its decision on the heroic virtue of Archbishop Sheen on the same day as the Supreme Court issues its decision on the health care plan," said Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation in Peoria. "Today, more than ever, the Church in America needs heroes to inspire us to stand up and to fall to our knees. I think in a special way, Venerable Fulton Sheen can be an inspiration and a consolation to our bishops and other Church leaders. He was a man of courage, and priest of prayer."

Following conclusion of the Diocesan phase of investigation in support of Archbishop Sheen's Cause for Canonization, Bishop Jenky presented all the documents generated to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. Today's declaration of venerability is the second of four official steps on the way to Canonization.

"We are all living through this wonderful moment," said Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, the Postulator of the Cause for Canonization of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, from Rome. "As you can tell, the cause is taking a special road - and quite quickly thus far. This is due to the importance of this cause for Fulton Sheen's sainthood to the American Church and all the faithful. We hope to go on with continued momentum."

"I am certainly excited by this news," said Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Vice-Postulator of the Cause for Canonization. "Venerable Fulton Sheen has certainly been a great leader of the faith, a defender of the freedom of religion and of our rights as Americans. It is truly remarkable that he was declared venerable on the day that the Supreme Court upheld the individual mandate in its decision on health care by declaring as a tax its proposed penalties. Fulton Sheen certainly had much to say in defending religious freedom - not just in our country but around the world."

"As head of the Propagation of the Faith from 1950 to 1966, the Venerable Fulton Sheen was heroic in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ far and wide - from Peoria to Pretoria; New York to New Delhi. He teaches us still that the Church is missionary by her very nature," said Very Rev. Andrew Small, O.M.I., National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

The Diocesan investigation included research and evidence gathering related to his life of holiness and claims of miracles attributed to Archbishop Sheen in order to advance the cause thus declaring him Venerable. Verification of one miracle is a requirement for Beatification, the next step in the Canonization process. Verification of a second miracle is necessary for Sainthood.

Mass of Thanksgiving set for Sept. 9

Bishop Jenky announced today that he will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving to honor Venerable Archbishop Sheen at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9 in Peoria's Cathedral of Saint Mary - the same cathedral in which Venerable Fulton grew up, received his vocation to the priesthood and was ordained. The Mass will be open to the public.

About Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Venerable Archbishop Sheen was born May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Ill., in the Diocese of Peoria. He was ordained to the priesthood in Peoria in 1919. At his ordination, he promised to offer Mass for the Virgin Mary every Saturday, and promised to spend at least one hour daily in Eucharistic Adoration - which he did for more than 60 years.

He began a radio ministry in New York City in 1926, and became the first regular speaker on the NBC network radio program "The Catholic Hour" in 1930. His "Life is Worth Living" national television program aired from 1952 through 1957, and the program drew millions of viewers weekly. He won the 1952 Emmy as "Most Outstanding Personality" and, during his acceptance speech, thanked his "four writers - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John." He also hosted the TV series "Pro Vadis, America?" from 1964 to 1966, and "The Bishop Sheen Program," which began in 1966.

In 1955, Venerable Archbishop Sheen became the first Latin Rite bishop ever to offer a Solemn Byzantine Rite Mass in English - for more than 150,000 in Uniontown, Pa. In 1966, he was elected Chairman of the Committee for the Propagation of the Faith. Pope Paul VI appointed him Bishop of Rochester, N.Y., in Oct. 1966, and as Archbishop of the Titular See of Newport, Wales, in Oct. 1969.

Venerable Archbishop Sheen died Dec. 9, 1979, at his home in New York City.

About the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation

The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation works to make known the life, works and teachings of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, to bring people to Christ through Archbishop Sheen, and to advance the Cause for the Canonization of Archbishop Sheen in the Catholic Church, according to the process prescribed in the Code of Canon Law under the supervision of the bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, Ill.

Tele-press conference Friday!

Please plan to join a tele-press conference Friday June 29 on Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and the Cause for his Canonization. You will receive more details on the event later today.
Prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Following is the prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Archbishop 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.

For more information on Venerable Archbishop Sheen and his Cause of Canonization, or to schedule interviews with Bishop Daniel Jenky, Msgr. Stanley Deptula and others involved in the Cause for Canonization, please contact Alexis Walkenstein (561-445-5409 or email AWalkenstein@MaximusMG.com), Tim Lilley (678-990-9032 or email TLilley@MaximusMG.com) or Kevin Wandra (678-990-9032 or email KWandra@MaximusMG.com) of The Maximus Group.

Contact

http://www.archbishopsheencause.org/
GA, 30188 US
Kevin Wandra - ,

Keywords

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, Pope Benedict XVI, sainthood, Catholic Church, Bishop Daniel Jenky,

Category

Catholic Church

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