Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

Fulton J. Sheen, in full Fulton John Sheen also called Bishop Futon Sheen or Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

Fulton was an American religious leader, evangelist. writer, Roman Catholic priest and television personality.

Fulton as a child served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois. Aged 8 he dropped a wine cruet on the floor. Bishop Spalding predicted Fulton would study at Louvain In Belgium and become a bishop.

He earned a BA (1917) and a MA (1919) at St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Illinois. In 1919 he was ordained. He also has a degree in canon law (1920), PhD. (1923) and Doctor of Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (1924).

In 1925 he served as a priest in London. In 1926 moved back to Peoria, to join the philosophical faculty at the Catholic University of America (1926-50). He spent 6 hours preparing each lecture.

Many who worked with him attested that he never failed to keep his holy hour from the day of his priestly ordination until his death.

Fulton’s first radio broadcasting experience was in 1926. He gave a series of Sunday Lenten evening sermons on a New York station.

His talents as a preacher were noticed and in January 1927, aged 30, he preached on the patronal feast of St. Aquinas.

In 1930 he began his 22 year radio career on the The Catholic Hour program. At one stage up to 4 million listened. He received a steady stream of letters 75-100 daily, many demanding personal attention.

1934 made a monsignor by Pope Pius X1.

14th March 1940, Easter Sunday, he appeared on the world’s first broadcast of a Catholic religious service.

In 1951 he became a titular bishop and served as an auxiliary bishop of New York (1951-66). In New York he hosted Life is Worth living (1951-7) which attracted 30 million viewers. With a chalkboard and no script he discussed practical matters of faith and criticized communism.

1958 appointed director of Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1958-66) and raised millions of dollars to support Catholic missions…

The Bishop Fulham Sheen Show (1961-9) proved a popular program to watch.

1962-5 attended all the sessions of the second Vatican Council.
1966-9 appointed Bishop of Rochester, New York.
1969 he was appointed archbishop of Newport, Wales.
1976-9 he served Pope Paul V1 as assistant to the Pontifical Throne.

Fulton wrote 66 books and had a syndicated newspaper column.

He died on 9th December 1979, aged 84, on the floor of his private chapel. This was shortly after having had open-heart surgery.

Fulton is being considered for a saint hood. He has been called a *Servant of God *

He was recognized by Pope Benedict XV1 in 2012 .
JUly 2019 Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to Fulton.
18th November Pope Francis called for him to beatified on 21 December.
December 3rd indefinitely postponed the ceremony.

Sources
Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Catholic University of America