Fulton Sheen: An American Catholic Icon Which Must Be Buried
Matthew Bellisario O.P.
Sheen's Beatification Halted
On December 3rd, just more two weeks before the beatification of Fulton Sheen, Cardinal Paglia, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, at the request of Bishop Matano of Rochester, apparently supported by other US bishops have halted the beatification in its tracks. Sheen, ordained a priest of the diocese of Peoria at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, IL on Sept 20, 1919, is still arguably along with Mother Angelica, the most popular Catholic figure in the US. It appears that Cardinal Cupich and Cardinal Dolan were involved in stopping the beatification since Matano simply doesn't have the juice to get something like this stopped on his own. On Dec 10th it was revealed, "...the Vatican announced that Sheen’s beatification had been delayed indefinitely due to concerns of a few members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – later revealed to be Rochester Bishop Salvatore Matano, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, and New York City’s Cardinal Dolan." LifeSite Source
LifeSite earlier on the 5th reported the following,
Bishop Matano’s concern centers on the case of Gerard Guli, a former priest of the Rochester Diocese who was accused of sexual misconduct in the early 1960s.
Apparently some have asserted that when the priest returned to Rochester in 1967 from his assignment in West Virginia in order to care for his ailing parents, Sheen – then the bishop of Rochester – gave him an assignment within the diocese despite the allegation.
However, “The documents clearly show that Sheen’s successor, Bishop Hogan, appointed Guli, and it’s at that assignment that Guli offended again,” Monsignor Kruse told CNA.
“The life of Fulton Sheen has been thoroughly and meticulously investigated,” said the Peoria Diocese statement announcing the postponement of Sheen’s beatification. “At every stage, it has been demonstrated definitively that he was an exemplary model of Christian conduct and a model of leadership in the Church. At no time has his life of virtue ever been called into question.”
Reasons
Given the fact that there is no known beatification to ever be stopped in its tracks just days before like this one, and also the fact that Sheen had already been cleared of any wrongdoing, we must ask ourselves why such a strong effort to stop it? After all, Oscar Romero's canonization, who was involved in a controversial war in El Salvador went ahead full steam as being a victim of "a right-wing death squad." Was Romero murdered for his faith or for his involvement in the violent politics the country was engaged in? That remains a question to be answered. None the less, why would a figure such as Sheen of all people, known for his wit, wisdom, preaching, holiness and daily Eucharistic adoration be opposed?
First, as we know, Cardinal Dolan never wanted the body released and it appears that he never really wanted the case to move forward. Once he lost the fight over Sheen's remains he lost any control he may have had over Sheen's cause and this must have been a hard pill to swallow. It seems that several times Dolan reneged on his promise to Bishop Jenky, in 2014 for example, "Jenky issued a statement blasting the New York archdiocese for thwarting Sheen's expected beatification next year by reneging on an agreement to return the late archbishop's body to Peoria." "Bishop Jenky was personally assured on several occasions by the Archdiocese of New York that the transfer of the body would take place at the appropriate time," the Peoria diocese said in a statement."
Second, despite whatever flaws Sheen may have had, his image is still one of true conservative American Catholicism. More to the point, he represents what many today refer to as "traditional" Catholicism. Being a strong proponent of Thomism, Sheen was outspoken against modernism and often criticized the modern philosophical errors of Kant, Hegel and Catholic modernists such as Bergson. Likewise, his theology and spirituality were clear and he often presented the Church's tough teachings on homosexuality, the four last things and the reality of hell with great tenacity. Simply put, Sheen's theological and spiritual messages are considered to be too medieval for a majority of the American bishops today!
Third, Sheen was very outspoken in opposing the evil of communism on TV and published at least two books that I am aware of which focused on the subject, 'Communism and the Conscience of the West' and 'The Church, Communism, and Democracy'. Sheen once said, "Communism is the final logic of the dehumanization of man." His outspoken opposition to Communism also puts him on the outs with many of today's American bishops.
Sheen's Critics
Fulton Sheen is in my eyes a great icon of American Catholicism. I hesitate to say traditional American Catholicism, because, in reality, Sheen was down the middle of the road when it came to the implementation of the Second Vatican Council. If there is anything that today's traditional Catholics can criticize him on, it is probably his adherence as Bishop of Rochester to the liturgical changes after Vatican II. This is not surprising being that every US bishop during his time trusted that the Vatican II changes would eventually work out in the end, somehow. If you understand the trust the clergy had for the papacy which for Sheen developed under the strong pontificates of Pope Pius XI and Pius XII, then it is easier to comprehend why bishops like Sheen trusted what was being implemented after the Council. Those of us who have only lived under the recent pontificates seeing the ultimate failure after decades of the Vatican II "implementation" fail to grasp the mentality of those who actually lived before the Council. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Sheen is also criticized for opposing the Vietnam war by "conservatives" and was falsely labeled a passivist by some. However, in watching the interview on the Firing Line show with William F. Buckley, Sheen's stance was a bit softer than some of his previous statements on the subject. He explained his general opposition to war yet also affirmed a country's responsibility to national defense during the show. Some dislike the fact that Sheen focused a great deal on social justice causes and, "...from 1950 to 1966, he raised more money for the poor than any other American Catholic, an effort that was augmented by the donation of more than $10 million of his personal earnings." Sheen however always viewed these causes in light of the Church's mission to evangelize. He also was disliked by some for becoming heavily involved in the controversies of racism. It is well known that he helped build hospitals and bring aid to the black communities in the south, especially in Alabama.
Sheen's Work and Image
Despite these criticisms, personally, I find it a little difficult to dismiss Sheen's importance concerning orthodox American Catholicism. The image of Sheen in my eyes and in the eyes of most Catholics will always be an image of Catholicism as it was before the Council, and that is too much for today's American hierarchy in the line of Cardinal Cupich to stomach. Especially when these men are trying to gain favor with today's modernist regime in Rome which hates any notion of American conservative Catholicism. Sheen is an image that the modernist has been trying to shed now for the past 60 years and stopping his beatification fits into their modernist mission.
As far as modern Catholic authors go, Sheen's literary output is astonishing and his works are worthy of any serious Catholic library. Ranging from theological, philosophical, spiritual and devotional works, Sheen published an impressive 66 books not including compilations, between the years of 1925 and 1979. I would argue that his literary impact for English speaking Catholics in the US even surpasses that of Cardinal Newman. Of course, in addition to his published work, his appearance on the Catholic Hour radio broadcast 1930-1950, and his syndicated television program 1951-1957 have furthered his image and popularity. EWTN founded by Mother Angelica has been reairing his television shows for the better part of 20 years now. Sheen with arms reaching out to the world, preaching the gospel wearing his cassock and ferraiolo will therefore always be an image for what Catholicism once was in the golden age of America.
What can we do about this act of what is now being called sabotage by Monsignor James Kruse, an official in the Diocese of Peoria involved in advancing Sheen’s cause? How about flooding Bishop Matano, Cardinal Cupich and the Vatican with letters? As the Catholic faithful, we should also promote Sheen's work and ask for his intercession in overcoming the rotten, lukewarm, modernist Catholicism permeating the Church today which Sheen always opposed. Fulton Sheen would want us to fight for the faith for he indeed made it clear that true Catholicism is worth living!
“Modern man has become passive in the face of evil. He has so long preached a doctrine of false tolerance; has so long believed that right and wrong were only differences in a point of view, that now when evil works itself out in practice he is paralyzed to do anything against it.” Fulton Sheen
Books by Fulton Sheen.
God and Intelligence. London: Longmans-Green, 1925.
Matthew Bellisario O.P.
Sheen's Beatification Halted
On December 3rd, just more two weeks before the beatification of Fulton Sheen, Cardinal Paglia, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, at the request of Bishop Matano of Rochester, apparently supported by other US bishops have halted the beatification in its tracks. Sheen, ordained a priest of the diocese of Peoria at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, IL on Sept 20, 1919, is still arguably along with Mother Angelica, the most popular Catholic figure in the US. It appears that Cardinal Cupich and Cardinal Dolan were involved in stopping the beatification since Matano simply doesn't have the juice to get something like this stopped on his own. On Dec 10th it was revealed, "...the Vatican announced that Sheen’s beatification had been delayed indefinitely due to concerns of a few members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops – later revealed to be Rochester Bishop Salvatore Matano, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, and New York City’s Cardinal Dolan." LifeSite Source
LifeSite earlier on the 5th reported the following,
Bishop Matano’s concern centers on the case of Gerard Guli, a former priest of the Rochester Diocese who was accused of sexual misconduct in the early 1960s.
Apparently some have asserted that when the priest returned to Rochester in 1967 from his assignment in West Virginia in order to care for his ailing parents, Sheen – then the bishop of Rochester – gave him an assignment within the diocese despite the allegation.
However, “The documents clearly show that Sheen’s successor, Bishop Hogan, appointed Guli, and it’s at that assignment that Guli offended again,” Monsignor Kruse told CNA.
“The life of Fulton Sheen has been thoroughly and meticulously investigated,” said the Peoria Diocese statement announcing the postponement of Sheen’s beatification. “At every stage, it has been demonstrated definitively that he was an exemplary model of Christian conduct and a model of leadership in the Church. At no time has his life of virtue ever been called into question.”
Reasons
Given the fact that there is no known beatification to ever be stopped in its tracks just days before like this one, and also the fact that Sheen had already been cleared of any wrongdoing, we must ask ourselves why such a strong effort to stop it? After all, Oscar Romero's canonization, who was involved in a controversial war in El Salvador went ahead full steam as being a victim of "a right-wing death squad." Was Romero murdered for his faith or for his involvement in the violent politics the country was engaged in? That remains a question to be answered. None the less, why would a figure such as Sheen of all people, known for his wit, wisdom, preaching, holiness and daily Eucharistic adoration be opposed?
First, as we know, Cardinal Dolan never wanted the body released and it appears that he never really wanted the case to move forward. Once he lost the fight over Sheen's remains he lost any control he may have had over Sheen's cause and this must have been a hard pill to swallow. It seems that several times Dolan reneged on his promise to Bishop Jenky, in 2014 for example, "Jenky issued a statement blasting the New York archdiocese for thwarting Sheen's expected beatification next year by reneging on an agreement to return the late archbishop's body to Peoria." "Bishop Jenky was personally assured on several occasions by the Archdiocese of New York that the transfer of the body would take place at the appropriate time," the Peoria diocese said in a statement."
Second, despite whatever flaws Sheen may have had, his image is still one of true conservative American Catholicism. More to the point, he represents what many today refer to as "traditional" Catholicism. Being a strong proponent of Thomism, Sheen was outspoken against modernism and often criticized the modern philosophical errors of Kant, Hegel and Catholic modernists such as Bergson. Likewise, his theology and spirituality were clear and he often presented the Church's tough teachings on homosexuality, the four last things and the reality of hell with great tenacity. Simply put, Sheen's theological and spiritual messages are considered to be too medieval for a majority of the American bishops today!
Third, Sheen was very outspoken in opposing the evil of communism on TV and published at least two books that I am aware of which focused on the subject, 'Communism and the Conscience of the West' and 'The Church, Communism, and Democracy'. Sheen once said, "Communism is the final logic of the dehumanization of man." His outspoken opposition to Communism also puts him on the outs with many of today's American bishops.
Sheen's Critics
Fulton Sheen is in my eyes a great icon of American Catholicism. I hesitate to say traditional American Catholicism, because, in reality, Sheen was down the middle of the road when it came to the implementation of the Second Vatican Council. If there is anything that today's traditional Catholics can criticize him on, it is probably his adherence as Bishop of Rochester to the liturgical changes after Vatican II. This is not surprising being that every US bishop during his time trusted that the Vatican II changes would eventually work out in the end, somehow. If you understand the trust the clergy had for the papacy which for Sheen developed under the strong pontificates of Pope Pius XI and Pius XII, then it is easier to comprehend why bishops like Sheen trusted what was being implemented after the Council. Those of us who have only lived under the recent pontificates seeing the ultimate failure after decades of the Vatican II "implementation" fail to grasp the mentality of those who actually lived before the Council. As they say, hindsight is 20/20.
Sheen is also criticized for opposing the Vietnam war by "conservatives" and was falsely labeled a passivist by some. However, in watching the interview on the Firing Line show with William F. Buckley, Sheen's stance was a bit softer than some of his previous statements on the subject. He explained his general opposition to war yet also affirmed a country's responsibility to national defense during the show. Some dislike the fact that Sheen focused a great deal on social justice causes and, "...from 1950 to 1966, he raised more money for the poor than any other American Catholic, an effort that was augmented by the donation of more than $10 million of his personal earnings." Sheen however always viewed these causes in light of the Church's mission to evangelize. He also was disliked by some for becoming heavily involved in the controversies of racism. It is well known that he helped build hospitals and bring aid to the black communities in the south, especially in Alabama.
Sheen's Work and Image
Despite these criticisms, personally, I find it a little difficult to dismiss Sheen's importance concerning orthodox American Catholicism. The image of Sheen in my eyes and in the eyes of most Catholics will always be an image of Catholicism as it was before the Council, and that is too much for today's American hierarchy in the line of Cardinal Cupich to stomach. Especially when these men are trying to gain favor with today's modernist regime in Rome which hates any notion of American conservative Catholicism. Sheen is an image that the modernist has been trying to shed now for the past 60 years and stopping his beatification fits into their modernist mission.
As far as modern Catholic authors go, Sheen's literary output is astonishing and his works are worthy of any serious Catholic library. Ranging from theological, philosophical, spiritual and devotional works, Sheen published an impressive 66 books not including compilations, between the years of 1925 and 1979. I would argue that his literary impact for English speaking Catholics in the US even surpasses that of Cardinal Newman. Of course, in addition to his published work, his appearance on the Catholic Hour radio broadcast 1930-1950, and his syndicated television program 1951-1957 have furthered his image and popularity. EWTN founded by Mother Angelica has been reairing his television shows for the better part of 20 years now. Sheen with arms reaching out to the world, preaching the gospel wearing his cassock and ferraiolo will therefore always be an image for what Catholicism once was in the golden age of America.
What can we do about this act of what is now being called sabotage by Monsignor James Kruse, an official in the Diocese of Peoria involved in advancing Sheen’s cause? How about flooding Bishop Matano, Cardinal Cupich and the Vatican with letters? As the Catholic faithful, we should also promote Sheen's work and ask for his intercession in overcoming the rotten, lukewarm, modernist Catholicism permeating the Church today which Sheen always opposed. Fulton Sheen would want us to fight for the faith for he indeed made it clear that true Catholicism is worth living!
“Modern man has become passive in the face of evil. He has so long preached a doctrine of false tolerance; has so long believed that right and wrong were only differences in a point of view, that now when evil works itself out in practice he is paralyzed to do anything against it.” Fulton Sheen
Books by Fulton Sheen.
God and Intelligence. London: Longmans-Green, 1925.
Religion Without God. London: Longmans-Green, 1928.
The Life of All Living: The Philosophy of Life. New York: The Century Co., 1929.
The Divine Romance. New York: The Century Co., 1930.
Old Errors and New Labels. New York: The Century Co., 1931.
Moods and Truths. New York: The Century Co., 1932.
The Way of the Cross. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1933.
The Eternal Galilean. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1934.
The Philosophy of Science. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1934.
The Mystical Body of Christ. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1935.
Calvary and the Mass: A Missal Companion. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1936.
The Moral Universe: A Preface to Christian Living. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1936.
The Cross and the Beatitudes. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1937.
The Cross and the Crisis. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1938.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. New York: Macmillan, 1938.
Victory over Vice. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1939.
Freedom under God. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1940.
The Seven Virtues. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1940.
Whence Come Wars. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1940.
A Declaration of Dependence. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1941.
For God and Country. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1941.
God and War. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1942.
The Armor of God: Reflections and Prayers for Wartime. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1943.
The Divine Verdict. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1943.
Philosophies at War. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1943.
Love One Another. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1944.
Seven Pillars of Peace. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1944.
Seven Words to the Cross. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1944.
Seven Words of Jesus and Mary. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1945.
Preface to Religion. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1946.
Characters of the Passion. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1947.
Communism and the Conscience of the West. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1948.
Philosophy of Religion: The Impact of Modern Knowledge on Religion. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1948.
Peace of Soul. New York: Whittlesey House, 1949.
Lift up Your Heart. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1950.
Three to Get Married. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1951.
The World's First Love. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1952.
Life Is Worth Living, First Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1953.
The Rainbow of Sorrow. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1953.
Way to Happiness. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1954.
The Church, Communism, and Democracy. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.
Life Is Worth Living, Second Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.
Life Is Worth Living, Third Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.
The Life of Christ, New York, Maco Magazine Corp., 1954
God Love You. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1955.
Thinking Life Through. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1955.
Way to Inner Peace. Garden City, NY, Garden City Books, 1955.
Thoughts for Daily Living. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1956.
Life Is Worth Living, Fifth Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1957.
Science, Psychiatry and Religion. New York: Dell, 1957.
Life of Christ. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1958.
Go to Heaven. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960.
These Are the Sacraments. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1962.
Missions and the World Crisis. Milwaukee: Bruce Press, 1963.
The Priest Is Not His Own. New York: McGraw Hill, 1963.
The Power of Love. New York: Maco Magazine Corp., 1964.
Walk with God. New York: Maco Magazine Corp., 1965.
Christmas Inspirations. New York: Maco, 1966.
Way to Happy Living. Bel Air, CA: Fawcett Publications Inc., 1966.
Footprints in a Darkened Forest: Vital Words for Today's Changing World. New York: Meredith Press, 1967.
Guide to Contentment. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967.
Lenten and Easter Inspirations. New York: Maco Publishing Co., 1967.
That Tremendous Love: An Anthology of Inspirational Quotations, Poems, Prayers and Philosophical Comments. New York: Harper and Row, 1967.
Children and Parents. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1970.
Those Mysterious Priests. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974.
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J Sheen. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.
(Compiled by University Libraries staff - The Catholic University of America)
The Divine Romance. New York: The Century Co., 1930.
Old Errors and New Labels. New York: The Century Co., 1931.
Moods and Truths. New York: The Century Co., 1932.
The Way of the Cross. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1933.
The Eternal Galilean. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1934.
The Philosophy of Science. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1934.
The Mystical Body of Christ. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1935.
Calvary and the Mass: A Missal Companion. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1936.
The Moral Universe: A Preface to Christian Living. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1936.
The Cross and the Beatitudes. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1937.
The Cross and the Crisis. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1938.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. New York: Macmillan, 1938.
Victory over Vice. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1939.
Freedom under God. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1940.
The Seven Virtues. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1940.
Whence Come Wars. New York: Sheed and Ward, 1940.
A Declaration of Dependence. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Co., 1941.
For God and Country. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1941.
God and War. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1942.
The Armor of God: Reflections and Prayers for Wartime. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1943.
The Divine Verdict. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1943.
Philosophies at War. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1943.
Love One Another. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1944.
Seven Pillars of Peace. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1944.
Seven Words to the Cross. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1944.
Seven Words of Jesus and Mary. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1945.
Preface to Religion. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1946.
Characters of the Passion. New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1947.
Communism and the Conscience of the West. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill, 1948.
Philosophy of Religion: The Impact of Modern Knowledge on Religion. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1948.
Peace of Soul. New York: Whittlesey House, 1949.
Lift up Your Heart. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1950.
Three to Get Married. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1951.
The World's First Love. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1952.
Life Is Worth Living, First Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1953.
The Rainbow of Sorrow. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1953.
Way to Happiness. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1954.
The Church, Communism, and Democracy. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.
Life Is Worth Living, Second Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.
Life Is Worth Living, Third Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1954.
The Life of Christ, New York, Maco Magazine Corp., 1954
God Love You. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1955.
Thinking Life Through. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1955.
Way to Inner Peace. Garden City, NY, Garden City Books, 1955.
Thoughts for Daily Living. Garden City, NY: Garden City Books, 1956.
Life Is Worth Living, Fifth Series. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1957.
Science, Psychiatry and Religion. New York: Dell, 1957.
Life of Christ. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1958.
Go to Heaven. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1960.
These Are the Sacraments. New York: Hawthorn Books, 1962.
Missions and the World Crisis. Milwaukee: Bruce Press, 1963.
The Priest Is Not His Own. New York: McGraw Hill, 1963.
The Power of Love. New York: Maco Magazine Corp., 1964.
Walk with God. New York: Maco Magazine Corp., 1965.
Christmas Inspirations. New York: Maco, 1966.
Way to Happy Living. Bel Air, CA: Fawcett Publications Inc., 1966.
Footprints in a Darkened Forest: Vital Words for Today's Changing World. New York: Meredith Press, 1967.
Guide to Contentment. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967.
Lenten and Easter Inspirations. New York: Maco Publishing Co., 1967.
That Tremendous Love: An Anthology of Inspirational Quotations, Poems, Prayers and Philosophical Comments. New York: Harper and Row, 1967.
Children and Parents. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1970.
Those Mysterious Priests. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1974.
Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J Sheen. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.
(Compiled by University Libraries staff - The Catholic University of America)
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