Vatican Announces Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Vatican, Feb 9, 2026: The Holy See has informed the Peoria diocese that the cause of the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen has advanced to beatification.

According to an official diocesan announcement, the Vatican has formally notified Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois, that the process may now proceed. This decision clears the way for the celebration of Sheen’s beatification, the final step before canonization.

“The next step in the process is the celebration of the beatification, in which Fulton Sheen would be declared Blessed,” Bishop Tylka said. “Archbishop Fulton Sheen was one of the greatest voices of evangelization in the Church and the world in the 20th century. I have long admired his lifelong commitment to serve the Church as a priest, rooted in his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist.”

Reflecting on Sheen’s ministry, Bishop Tylka highlighted his extraordinary ability to communicate the Gospel. “As he journeyed through the different stages of his life, his ability to share the Gospel and truly relate to people drew countless souls into an encounter with Jesus — one that transformed not only his life, but more importantly, the lives of those he touched.”

The bishop also underscored Sheen’s missionary vision in his later years. “In his later years, particularly through his work for the Missions, Archbishop Sheen helped us recognize that the Church is meant for all people. He reminded us that as members of the Church, we are called to serve everyone, especially those most in need and those longing to hear and experience the Gospel, wherever they may be in the world,” he said.

Bishop Tylka expressed gratitude to the Holy See, fellow bishops, clergy, and lay faithful whose collaboration and prayers contributed to the progress of the cause. He described the upcoming beatification as “a special blessing for the Church in the United States,” noting Sheen’s powerful evangelizing presence through radio, television, and public appearances.

Peoria diocese is now working closely with the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to finalize details of the beatification ceremony.

Life of Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Peter John Sheen was born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, and was called “Fulton” after his mother’s maiden name. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria on September 20, 1919. On June 11, 1951, he was consecrated auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York, serving until 1966. He later became bishop of Rochester, New York, a role he held until his retirement in 1969.

Bishop Tylka has previously described Sheen as a “trailblazer,” particularly for his Emmy Award–winning television program Life Is Worth Living, which aired from 1952 to 1957 and addressed themes of morality and Catholic faith.

Sheen “reached millions of people because of [the show],” Bishop Tylka said. “He was so far ahead of his time in that reality that we take for granted today.”

Archbishop Sheen died of heart disease on December 9, 1979, the feast of St. Juan Diego.

Road to Beatification

Archbishop Sheen’s cause for canonization was opened in 2002 by the Diocese of Peoria. He was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI in June 2012. In 2014, medical experts and theologians unanimously approved a miracle attributed to his intercession involving the revival of a stillborn infant, James Fulton.

Later that year, the cause was temporarily suspended due to a legal dispute over the location of Sheen’s remains. In March 2019, a New York appeals court ruled that his remains could be transferred to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, where they were moved in June 2019, allowing the cause to resume.

Pope Francis approved the miracle on July 5, 2019, and a beatification was scheduled for December that year but later postponed. The Diocese of Peoria clarified that the delay was not related to allegations of misconduct and affirmed that “it has been demonstrated definitively that [Sheen] was an exemplary model of Christian conduct and a model of leadership in the Church. At no time has his life of virtue ever been called into question.”

Despite delays, devotion to Archbishop Sheen has continued to grow. In May 2025, Bishop Tylka reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the beatification process with Pope Leo XIV.

Courtesy: National Catholic Register