A New York appeals court has unanimously ruled that the earthly remains of Venerable Fulton Sheen should be moved to Peoria, Illinois – a ruling that could pave the way for the archbishop’s beatification unless there is another appeal.
A statement from the Diocese of Peoria on Tuesday welcomed the decision and called on the Archdiocese of New York “to end their failed legal contestation, which has only resulted in three rulings against them.”
“Further appeal is not only unprecedented but extremely costly to all the parties involved…Now is the time to end the legal tug-of-war and begin the final stages of the Cause of Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen,” the Peoria statement said.
Joe Zwilling, spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said the Trustees of St. Patrick’s Cathedral disagree with the court decision and are considering their next steps, the Peoria Journal Star reported.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Hey, Joe Z, give it up !!!
Can someone explain why the body needs to be in Peoria for Sheen’s beatification and possible canonization to proceed?
As I understand it, it is because it was the Bishop of Peoria who opened the cause for canonization.
I wish this case would be settled for good– so that Ven. Fulton J. Sheen’s Cause of Beatification can move forward! When they build a Shrine for Ven. Sheen in Peoria, at the Cathedral– I would love to make a pilgrimage there!
A part played in the process of bestowing sainthood is that of the so-called devil’s advocate. The Church official playing the part provides evidence against the bestowing of sainthood. This is weighed against the evidence in favor of sainthood.
I hope the evidence demonstrating Archbishop Sheen’s apparently made up PHD (yes, he did earn a real one, but made another one up) is given the weight it deserves. In addition, the Archbishop’s fondness for the finer things in life usually associated with the wealthy, and his well known vanity, are all considered in due course.I
Archbishop Sheen was no doubt a good man with many talents, self promotion among them.
Cardinal Dolan always considers himself above the law. He would have mo intention of following the Court’s ruling.
Vince Ryan– I, too, had wondered, over the years– reading the strangely inconsistent printing of the lists of Ven. Sheen’s academic degrees– each of his books seems inconsistent! I had wondered if the editors got all mixed up– or ???… well, a college professor would get disqualified, and fired, for a blatant error like that!!! So– it all must be okay– for reasons unclear to us!! Universities have also– throughout the years– changed the names of many degrees, and changed their degree programs somewhat, too! Maybe that explains it! I think Ven. Sheen was a very honest, trustworthy man!
Vince Ryan– like all the saints of old, who talked about their sins, and how they changed their lives, to give their all to Christ— Sheen, too, was on the same pathway! He wrote about it, in his autobiography, “Treasure in Clay.” When older, he also endured a painful trial, resulting in a complete change of life– and got rid of the flaws you mentioned. He was a great champion for Christ!
Thomas C. Reeves has written an excellent, and largely sympathetic and admiring biography of Archbishop Sheen: “America’s Bishop: The Life and Times of Fulton J. Sheen.”
It is not hagiography however. The problem with the official academic resume of Archbishop Sheen is addressed, with some apparent pain and sadness by the author.
Yes, I believe also that Archbishop Sheen was a wonderful blessing to the Church and to the world. And that Church provides for a rigorous examination for those who would be declared saints.
Vince Ryan–A good book! It will be interesting to see how Sheen’s Cause progresses. We should not despair, at the faults of any great person up for canonization! All of the saints— even the greatest ones— had flaws. One of the most shocking, for me– a long time ago– was to read all about the life of Padre Pio– you will just DIE, to read all about the sins he was said to have committed. And yet– he passed the “sainthood” tests. Also, Pope John Paul II– it upset me a lot, during his canonization process– because he turned away the poor Catholic children, reporting horrifically evil clergy sex abuse to them.
I believe the intransigence of the Archdiocese of New York regarding moving Fulton Sheen’s body is strictly because of Cardinal Dolan. He simply cannot stand the thought that Peoria would become a pilgrimage site should Sheen be moved there and canonized. Peoria has done all the legwork in moving the canonization cause this far (after New York expressed no interest in it) and DESERVES to have his remains housed in THEIR cathedral.
Exactly!