Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a prominent figure in American religious broadcasting, has taken a significant step towards sainthood with his beatification, celebrated on September 24 in St. Louis, Missouri. This notable event marks a historic achievement for the Catholic Church, recognising Sheen’s impactful contributions as both a televangelist and a priest.
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Sheen, who rose to fame in the 1950s with his television programme *Life Is Worth Living*, managed to draw in millions of viewers weekly, particularly during a cultural era dominated by shows such as *I Love Lucy* and *The Milton Berle Show*. At the height of his popularity, the show would attract an audience of around 30 million, earning him an Emmy Award in 1953 for his innovative religious broadcasts. His ability to connect with audiences made him one of the first televangelists in the United States, establishing a legacy that would influence later figures in the field.
The recent beatification was conducted during a special Mass held at the Dome at America’s Center, attended by numerous faithful, including Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois, where Sheen was born. Bishop Tylka expressed the joy of the Diocese, stating, “We join with the Church throughout the world in celebrating this extraordinary moment and giving thanks for the heroic witness of faith that Blessed Fulton Sheen offered throughout his life.” His words reflected the widespread admiration for Sheen’s efforts to spread the Gospel message.
Sheen’s influence extended beyond the Catholic Church, garnering recognition from various public figures. Former President Donald Trump remarked on Sheen’s significant legacy, acknowledging him as the first American-born bishop to achieve beatification. Trump’s statement included praise for Sheen’s pioneering use of media to reach wider audiences, emphasising the crucial role that Sheen played in evangelism during a pivotal time in American culture.
Born on May 8, 1895, in Peoria, Sheen was ordained as a priest in 1919 after pursuing his education in Catholic doctrine. Following his studies, he dedicated much of his career to teaching theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America before transitioning into radio broadcasting with *The Catholic Hour*. This programme ran for two decades, solidifying his position as a respected religious voice in America.
In the wake of his successful broadcast career, Sheen was appointed as the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951, and later, the bishop of Rochester. His second television offering, *The Fulton Sheen Program*, aired until 1968, ensuring that his messages and teachings continued to resonate with audiences. His rise within the Church was remarkable, and he ultimately became an archbishop before his death at the age of 84 in 1979.
Beatification is the second phase of the Catholic Church’s canonisation process, which requires proof of a miracle associated with the individual. In 2019, a miracle attributed to Sheen was recognised when an infant named James Fulton Engstrom was resuscitated after being born without a pulse. His mother, Bonnie Engstrom, recounted her experience of repeatedly invoking Sheen’s name during the incident, attributing his miraculous recovery to the late archbishop’s intercession.
Pope Francis approved the miracle as part of Sheen’s path towards sainthood, which has sparked renewed interest in his life and work. As a follow-up to the beatification, Pope Leo CIII acknowledged Sheen’s legacy, encouraging others to draw inspiration from his evangelistic approach to media and spreading the Gospel message with enthusiasm and joy.
As Sheen’s story is re-examined today, his influence on religious broadcasting and the Catholic Church remains poignant. His ability to engage with audiences through media continues to serve as a model for modern evangelists aiming to address contemporary issues while sharing their faith. There is hope among his followers that his eventual canonisation will further solidify his place in the hearts of believers and within the annals of Church history.