Archbishop Sheen’s beatification ‘inevitable’ amid growing devotion, says foundation head

Despite a few high-profile delays in recent years, the beatification of Venerable Fulton J Sheen—the popular, scholarly archbishop and 20th-century pioneer of Catholic broadcasting—is “inevitable,” said the head of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, which supports his cause.

“The desire to see Sheen beatified is increasing, and there is a growing devotion to him,” Msgr. Jason Gray, the foundation’s executive director, said. In an article for the foundation’s 2024 year-end newsletter, Msgr Gray—who also is the judicial vicar and episcopal vicar for consecrated life for the Peoria Diocese and pastor of St Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights—pointed to several indicators of Archbishop Sheen’s expanding reputation for holiness, or “fama sanctitatis” in canonical terms.

“He didn’t just know about Jesus Christ,” Msgr Gray told OSV News. “He knew Jesus Christ personally.”

The late archbishop’s ability to combine sanctity, scholarship and communications savvy as a powerful witness to the Gospel, said Msgr Gray.

Visits to Archbishop Sheen’s tomb, demand for relics and writings, and reports of favours and graces received through his intercession are on the rise, he said.

Because of his relationship with Christ, Archbishop Sheen “could speak from a personal perspective, and with personal passion,” Msgr Gray said.

“He brought his knowledge of the faith and his knowledge of Jesus Christ into the personal trials that we face in the world today.”