September 9, 2009. Fulton Sheen is on his way to being the first American-born beatified male. He died in 1979 after a lifetime of work in the Church. He was archbishop of New York and Rochester, and is often referred to as the first televangelist for his vibrant career in the media.
Now, the cause for his beatification is under review by the Vatican.
Monsignor Richard Soseman Canonist “The congregation is currently studying the material. If they come to a decree of heroic virtue, if that should happen then the next part of the process would be the actual examination for beatification.”
Monsignor Richard Soseman was part of the preliminary process of gathering information for the cause of Sheen’s beatification and is from his diocese in Illinois. He says many families in town still remember Fulton Sheen and his legacy.
Monsignor Richard Soseman Canonist “An old woman that I knew told me that she used to go to mass early in the morning so she could receive holy communion, but then she would return to high mass at St Patrick’s. She said a lot of them would just go to hear bishop sheen preach."
Fulton Sheen was probably best known for his public persona. He spent 20 years as the voice of a Catholic radio program and later moved on to television winning the 1952 Emmy award for most outstanding television personality. Monsignor Richard Soseman Canonist "And then through his many writings, over 60 books, other publications, columns in newspapers, really helped to bring the faith to the wider audience of people."
It is impossible to say when the road to Fulton Sheen’s beatification will take a turn for sainthood. For the time being his legacy will continue to resonate in Illinois and the United States.
September 9, 2009. Fulton Sheen is on his way to being the first American-born beatified male. He died in 1979 after a lifetime of work in the Church. He was archbishop of New York and Rochester, and is often referred to as the first televangelist for his vibrant career in the media.
