White House Honors Archbishop Fulton Sheen on Day of Beatification

The White House honored Catholic Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on September 24, the day of his beatification, which is a step toward his canonization as a saint. A statement on the official White House website described Sheen as a man who "pioneered the use of media to speak the truth, preach the Gospel, and bring many souls closer to Christ." The statement noted that on his television show, Archbishop Sheen lectured before a live audience on various theological, philosophical, and political topics. He became a prominent figure, known for his striking priestly robes and his use of a chalk stick and blackboard, and gained popularity for bringing Christian teachings to a wide audience during a time of significant political tension. The statement highlighted that Sheen achieved high ratings, surpassing American entertainers like Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra, won an Emmy award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. His ability to mainstream Catholicism during a period of anti-Catholic sentiment is credited by some experts with paving the way for President John F. Kennedy, the first Catholic president. Sheen's beatification ceremony took place in St. Louis, Missouri, due to the large anticipated crowd, which exceeded the capacity of venues in his home Diocese of Peoria, Illinois. James Fulton Engstrom carried a vessel containing the relics of Sheen, who died in 1979. The ceremony coincided with the 16th anniversary of Engstrom's birth, during which he was resuscitated after being born without a pulse. The Catholic Church recognized this event as a miracle attributed to Sheen's prayers, which is a requirement for beatification.