**WATCH Legendary Catholic TV Bishop Beatified**
Tens of thousands of Roman Catholics are converging in St. Louis, Missouri, for the beatification of Fulton John Sheen, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and Bishop of Rochester, whose television show once rivaled the popularity of Frank Sinatra's programs. The ceremony is set to take place on Thursday afternoon at the Dome at America’s Center stadium, where organizers anticipate around 50,000 attendees.
Fulton Sheen, who passed away in 1979, is being honored in a ceremony that had previously been postponed for several years while the Catholic Church sought an appropriate venue to accommodate the large crowd. The beatification mass will be live-streamed, beginning at 2 PM local time (9 PM Central European Time), allowing a wider audience to participate in the historic event.
Pope Leo XIV, who has personal ties to Sheen's early life, praised the bishop during an address at the Vatican on Wednesday. He expressed hope that Sheen's legacy and intercession would inspire others to find innovative ways to share the Gospel message. "May the example and intercession of this holy bishop, known for his evangelizing work through the media, inspire many others likewise to find new ways of spreading the gospel message with joyful enthusiasm," the Pope stated.
Sheen was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, in 1919 and quickly gained recognition for his theological insights and philosophical perspectives. His ecclesiastical career included serving as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New York in 1951, followed by his appointment as Archbishop of Rochester in 1966, and later as the ceremonial Archbishop of Newport after his retirement in 1969.
His influence extended far beyond his official titles. While serving in Peoria, Sheen launched 'The Catholic Hour,' a radio program that garnered approximately four million listeners by 1950. He later transitioned to television with two successful shows: 'Life is Worth Living' and 'The Fulton Sheen Program.'
'Life is Worth Living' aired during a competitive time slot alongside popular shows featuring Frank Sinatra and comedian Milton Berle. Contrary to expectations that it would fail, Sheen's program became a massive success, attracting an audience of 30 million viewers weekly at its peak—about one-fifth of the U.S. population at that time. Notably, around 70% of his viewers were reported to be Protestants, Jews, and individuals from various backgrounds.
Sheen's approach to broadcasting was unique; he relied on a simple format with minimal production elements, using only a blackboard to illustrate his messages. He emphasized inclusivity in his teachings, stating that his show was intended for "Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and all men of good will." His method involved starting with concepts familiar to his audience and gradually leading them to deeper moral and Christian philosophies.
The process of beatification is a significant milestone in the Catholic Church, representing one step below canonization, which is the formal recognition of sainthood. To be beatified, a miracle must be attributed to the individual. In 2019, Pope Francis acknowledged a miracle attributed to Sheen, involving the revival of a baby born without a heartbeat, which occurred after the child's parents prayed for Sheen's intercession.
As the Catholic community gathers to celebrate Sheen's life and contributions, the beatification ceremony marks a pivotal moment in recognizing the impact of media in evangelization and the enduring legacy of a bishop who bridged the gap between faith and popular culture.