Venerable Fulton Sheen on a set for one of his regular television programs
(Credit : Fred Palumbo, World Telegram staff photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
CT News
Feb. 10, 2026 : The Holy See has officially informed Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, that the cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed to beatification. Archbishop Fulton Sheen was one of the greatest voices of evangelization in the Church and the world in the 20th century.
The Diocese of Peoria is working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican to determine the details for the upcoming beatification.
About Fulton Sheen
Peter John Sheen was born in El Paso, Illinois, on May 8, 1895, and was called “Fulton” in honor of his mother’s maiden name. Sheen was ordained a priest of the Peoria Diocese on Sept. 20, 1919. On June 11, 1951, he was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York and remained in the position until 1966. He was then named the bishop of Rochester, New York, until his retirement in 1969 at the age of 74.
Sheen was famous for his Emmy-winning television show “Life Is Worth Living.” The show aired on television from 1952 until 1957, discussing morality and Catholicism.
Sheen died due to heart disease on Dec. 9, 1979, the feast of St. Juan Diego.
Road to beatification
The televangelist’s cause for canonization was first opened in 2002 under the leadership of the Diocese of Peoria, and from then on he was referred to as a servant of God. Pope Benedict XVI declared him venerable in June 2012.
Pope Francis approved of the miracle attributed to the intercession of Sheen on July 5, 2019. Sheen was set to be beatified on Dec. 21, 2019, but the beatification experienced many challenges and delays.
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