The Vatican has formally approved the beatification of American Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, clearing the way for a major Catholic ceremony expected later this year, Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria announced Monday.
In a statement, Tylka said the Holy See confirmed that the cause of the “Venerable Servant of God” can now move forward, marking the final step before Sheen is formally declared Blessed.
The date and location of the beatification Mass have not yet been announced, though sources familiar with the process told The Pillar a September timeline is likely.
“The Holy See has informed me that the Cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed to Beatification,” Tylka said. “The next step in the process is the celebration of the Beatification, in which Fulton Sheen would be declared Blessed.”
The announcement comes after years of delays tied to concerns raised in 2019 over Sheen’s time as Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969. That year, just weeks before a scheduled beatification, the Vatican paused the process following objections from Rochester officials over allegations of mishandling cases of sexual abuse.
Those concerns centered on Gerard Guli, a former priest accused of abusing adults prior to Sheen’s arrival in Rochester. Church officials have consistently stated that Sheen never assigned Guli to ministry. Monsignor James Kruse said in 2019 that records showed Guli was later reassigned by Sheen’s successor, Bishop Joseph Hogan.
Additional scrutiny focused on whether allegations might emerge during New York’s Child Victims Act window or through an attorney general probe. No claims against Sheen were filed, and sources close to those investigations have said no unresolved allegations exist.
The Vatican had already recognized a miracle attributed to Sheen in 2019, involving the revival of a stillborn infant after prayers for his intercession. Pope Francis approved the miracle that July.
Sheen was ordained a priest in 1919 and rose to national prominence through radio and television, hosting “The Catholic Hour” and later “Life Is Worth Living,” which earned him an Emmy. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of New York in 1951 and later served briefly as Bishop of Rochester.
Sheen died in 1979. His canonization cause was opened in 2002 by the Diocese of Peoria, where he was ordained.
In a statement, Tylka said the Holy See confirmed that the cause of the “Venerable Servant of God” can now move forward, marking the final step before Sheen is formally declared Blessed.
The date and location of the beatification Mass have not yet been announced, though sources familiar with the process told The Pillar a September timeline is likely.
“The Holy See has informed me that the Cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed to Beatification,” Tylka said. “The next step in the process is the celebration of the Beatification, in which Fulton Sheen would be declared Blessed.”
The announcement comes after years of delays tied to concerns raised in 2019 over Sheen’s time as Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969. That year, just weeks before a scheduled beatification, the Vatican paused the process following objections from Rochester officials over allegations of mishandling cases of sexual abuse.
Those concerns centered on Gerard Guli, a former priest accused of abusing adults prior to Sheen’s arrival in Rochester. Church officials have consistently stated that Sheen never assigned Guli to ministry. Monsignor James Kruse said in 2019 that records showed Guli was later reassigned by Sheen’s successor, Bishop Joseph Hogan.
Additional scrutiny focused on whether allegations might emerge during New York’s Child Victims Act window or through an attorney general probe. No claims against Sheen were filed, and sources close to those investigations have said no unresolved allegations exist.
The Vatican had already recognized a miracle attributed to Sheen in 2019, involving the revival of a stillborn infant after prayers for his intercession. Pope Francis approved the miracle that July.
Sheen was ordained a priest in 1919 and rose to national prominence through radio and television, hosting “The Catholic Hour” and later “Life Is Worth Living,” which earned him an Emmy. He was appointed auxiliary bishop of New York in 1951 and later served briefly as Bishop of Rochester.
Sheen died in 1979. His canonization cause was opened in 2002 by the Diocese of Peoria, where he was ordained.
