Pope approves Archbishop Sheen's heroic virtues, step toward sainthood

cns ^ | June 28, 2012 | Francis X. Rocca

[NYer]

Archbishop Sheen is pictured preaching in an undated photo. (CNS photo)

By Francis X. Rocca
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI has approved the heroic virtues of U.S. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the Vatican announced June 28, clearing the way for the advancement of his sainthood cause.

Among the others honored in decrees announced the same day were first prelate of Opus Dei, the Canadian and Irish-American founders of two orders of religious women, a priest murdered by the Sicilian Mafia, and 154 martyrs killed during the Spanish Civil War.

Archbishop Sheen heroically lived Christian virtues and should be considered "venerable," said a decree issued by the Congregation for Saints' Causes and signed by Pope Benedict. Before the archbishop can be beatified, the Vatican must recognize that a miracle has occurred through his intercession.

The decree came just more than 13 months after Bishop Daniel R. Jenky of Peoria, Ill., presented Pope Benedict with two thick volumes about the life of Archbishop Sheen, whose home diocese was Peoria.

Archbishop Sheen, who was born in Illinois in 1895 and died in New York in 1979, was an Emmy-winning televangelist. His program, "Life is Worth Living," aired in the United States from 1951 to 1957.

With evidence of her son's alleged miraculous healing boxed and sealed in front of a portrait of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, Bonnie Engstrom gives a reading at a Mass last December at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Ill. Pope Benedict XVI has approved the heroic virtues of Archbishop Sheen, whose home diocese was Peoria, clearing the way for the advancement of his sainthood cause. (CNS file/Tom Dermody, The Catholic Post)

Last September, a tribunal of inquiry was sworn in to investigate the allegedly miraculous healing of a newborn whose parents had prayed to the archbishop's intercession.

The Vatican also announced papal decrees approving the beatification of 158 men and women, including 156 martyrs, all but two of them Spaniards, killed during their country's 1936-39 Civil War.

Father Giuseppe Puglisi, a Sicilian priest and activist against organized crime who was killed by the Mafia in 1993, was another of the martyrs recognized.

Martyrs do not need a miracle attributed to their intercession in order to be beatified. However, miracles must be recognized by the Vatican in order for martyrs to be canonized.

Other decrees recognized the heroic virtues of eight men and women, including:

-- Bishop Alvaro del Portillo, the first prelate of Opus Dei.

-- Mother Marie-Josephte Fitzbach, founder of the Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec.

-- Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, the Irish-born founder of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, who died in New York state in 1984.

[NYer]

In other news, ping!

Archbishop Sheen Cause

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“clearing the way for the advancement of his sainthood cause.”

The Bible refers to ALL believers in Christ as saints, multiple times.

If he wasn’t one at death, it is sadly, too late now.
If he was a saint at death, he doesn’t need a committee.

[Tax-chick]

Venerable Archbishop Sheen, pray for us!

[mgstarr]

And now more than ever.

[wideawake]

I realize you are not conversant with the terminology, but a little curiosity wouldn't hurt.

If he were not a saint at death, then he is not one now, assuredly.

If he was a saint at death, that is surely known to the Almighty but is not necessarily known to us.

The process of canonization establishes whether or not this person, who so many look to as an example, truly is what he is said to be - so that we can know the answer to the question.

[joe.fralick]

Sheen was cool. A little before my time, but I watch videos of his TV program and I’m always impressed.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Scripture is lost on linguistic literalists.

"And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." Matthew 16:18-19

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“I realize you are not conversant with the terminology, but a little curiosity wouldn’t hurt.”
“If he was a saint at death, that is surely known to the Almighty but is not necessarily known to us.”

... I know the terminology. More important than me is that the Holy Bible is clear and unequivocal that all believers in Christ are saints from the moment they exercise faith in the Gospel of Grace. The closest we can get on earth to knowing they have exercised saving faith is their word and the accompanying fruit of their lives. Faith that saves is never alone.

“The process of canonization establishes whether or not this person, who so many look to as an example, truly is what he is said to be - so that we can know the answer to the question.”

... Unfortunately, nothing that transpires by committee after death, confirms someone is a saint.

... Unfortunately too, these proceedings add criteria that fly in the face of the clear teaching of the Holy Bible as to what a true saint is.

[Zionist Conspirator]

'Oy. Another liberal "conservative" for the saint mill.

Oh well. After Cardinal Newman, why not?

[wideawake]

Unfortunately, nothing that transpires by committee after death, confirms someone is a saint

In other words, you do not believe that the Lord founded a Church or, if you do, you do not believe that He endowed it with any discernment.

Such a view is contrary to the Scriptural evidence.

[NYer]

Following along with freeper wideawake’s approach, it might be easier to think of this in terms of sports. There are many great athletes but not all of them are recognized. For Catholics, saints are like sports heroes in the secular world. Their stories exemplify lives turned toward Christ, despite great hardships. In the Catholic Church, the process is lengthy and must meet strict criteria, including two documented miracles. While many christians are saints, not all of them meet such criteria.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“In other words, you do not believe that the Lord founded a Church or, if you do, you do not believe that He endowed it with any discernment.”

Neither is correct.

“Such a view is contrary to the Scriptural evidence.”

Such a view affirms Scripture.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“For Catholics, saints are like sports heroes in the secular world. Their stories exemplify lives turned toward Christ, despite great hardships. In the Catholic Church, the process is lengthy and must meet strict criteria, including two documented miracles. While many christians are saints, not all of them meet such criteria.”

I don’t mean to tell you what to believe. You alone decide that.

I simply pointed out that the Holy Bible recognizes ALL Christians as saints. No exceptions are shown ever.

Further, their sainthood depends only on their acceptance/trust in the completed work of Christ. There are absolutely no miracles required. Not even one miracle required. None.

Frankly, most so called miracles claimed are opinions. Acts records that when Peter walked down the streets and his shadow fell on people, they were healed. Healing was undeniable. But even in Peter’s case, that did not make him a saint. Today, the “miracles” involve someone praying to some departed Christian and claiming that person healed them - opinion. Heck, we don’t even know the departed Christian can hear them, let alone heal.

To make sainthood into a sports star status demeans the power of the Gospel of Grace that makes all true believers into saints. THAT is an amazing miracle!

[cubreporter]

It was the highlight of our day to come home and listen to Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. God IS good and...God IS watching and listening. To all those who doubt... when the time comes...don’t say we didn’t warn you.

[Natural Law]

"... Unfortunately, nothing that transpires by committee after death, confirms someone is a saint."

This is reveals a gross misunderstanding of Catholic doctrine. The Church does not create saints or decide who is or is not a saint. It only recognizes individuals worthy of veneration and emulation because of their lives, contributions and sacrifices. It is not an inerrant practice.

Peace be with you.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“It is not an inerrant practice.”

Even worse, it distorts the word “saint” that God Himself applies multiple times to every single believer. It adds qualifications God Himself does not add.

Clearly, it is not inerrant.

For the record, I hope the dear man was a saint.

[Natural Law]

"Even worse, it distorts the word “saint” that God Himself applies multiple times to every single believer."

Your understanding is apparently crippled by the limitations of English. A saint is a holy person, and the term saint is derived from the Latin word "Sanctus" meaning holy. It is not an office, it is an adjective. A saint is one recognized by the Church as holy.

The Church used this term for 15 centuries before there was an English language. If anyone is guilty of distorting the term is it the English.

Peace be with you.

[Salvation]

In addition to your statement.

SAINTHOOD 101: Rules for Becoming a Saint [Catholic Caucus]
The Process of Becoming a Saint (Canonization) [Catholic Caucus]
Pope Lists Criteria for Causes of Canonization

[Salvation]

The following are the basic steps to becoming a saint:

1) The candidate must be deceased for a minimum of five years

So do you meet the first criterion for becoming a saint?