Thought for the day from Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

We last visited the cause for the canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, officially opened in 2002, in November of 2013. See "Cause for beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to proceed", WWW 19/11/16. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that the prelate had "lived a life of heroic virtues" -- a major step towards beatification -- and was thus to be referred to as "Venerable."

There was then a dispute between the Diocese of Peoria, which was Abp. Sheen's home, and the Archdiocese of New York, where his earthly remains were interred at St Patrick's Cathedral. On June 7th, the final appeal by the Archdiocese of New York was rejected yet again by the New York Court of Appeals. With that definitive ruling, the Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Peoria cooperated in making arrangements for the transfer of the body to Peoria, according to Church and civil law.

And so, early in the morning of June 27th, the earthly remains of Archbishop Sheen were returned at last to the Diocese of Peoria and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, where he will be interred in a shrine prepared and waiting for him. Most Rev Daniel Jenky, Bishop of Peoria, announced that the cause for beatification had resumed. And on July 5th, Pope Francis approved a miracle that occurred through the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification.