The Archdiocese of New York is pleased to learn that there appears to be progress for the cause of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, a cause for which we have all worked hard
Several weeks ago, the archdiocese, with the advice and consent of Joan Sheen Cunningham, the late archbishop's beloved niece, put forward a proposal that would balance the personal wish of Archbishop Sheen to be permanently buried beneath the high altar of Saint Patrick's Cathedral, with the understandable desire of the Diocese of Peoria to have his earthly remains present in their diocese for the celebration of his long hoped-for beatification. The archdiocese had asked that the Diocese of Peoria officially reopen the cause, with the understanding that the archbishop's earthly remains would then be sent to Peoria for a beatification ceremony as soon as one was announced, and then returned after an appropriate time to the crypt beneath the high altar of Saint Patrick's. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome tells us all that is holding up the cause is the letter from the Bishop of Peoria reopening the cause he closed two years ago.
While we will need some time to review the petition that was announced today by the Diocese of Peoria, it is definitely encouraging that the Diocese of Peoria seems ready to reopen the cause so that the much desired process towards beatification and canonization can resume.
Bishop Daniel Jenky and all who have done so much to advance the cause of the Venerable Fulton J. Sheen are owed a great debt of gratitude for all of the work that they have accomplished thus far. If it be God's will, may we soon be celebrating the news that Archbishop Sheen will be beatified in Peoria