On July 6, 2019, there was great joy across the United States as Pope Francis formally approved the miracle attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, paving the way for his beatification.
Unfortunately, the ceremony scheduled for Dec. 21, 2019, never happened.
And for the second time that decade, Archbishop Sheen’s canonization cause was halted, with the faithful receiving no clarity on when it might get revisited.
Now, with the Diocese of Peoria announcing that the Vatican has greenlit Archbishop Sheen’s beatification — a date for the ceremony has yet to be released — there is a renewed hope among clergy and faithful alike that a man who meant so much to so many will officially become “Blessed” in the Church.
Below is a timeline of Archbishop Sheen’s canonization cause.
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Sept. 14, 2002
The Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, at the time led by Bishop Daniel Jenky, officially opens Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s cause for canonization, making him a servant of God — the first stage of the sainthood process.
June 28, 2012
Pope Benedict XVI announces that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints had recognized Archbishop Sheen’s life as one of “heroic virtue,” proclaiming him “Venerable Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen.”
March 6, 2014
The board of medical experts who advise the Congregation for the Causes of Saints unanimously approve a reported miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen’s intercession. Months later, on June 17, a seven-member theological commission that advises the congregation unanimously agreed with the experts’ decision.
Sept. 3, 2014
Bishop Jenky announces that Archbishop Sheen’s canonization cause is suspended due to a dispute between the Diocese of Peoria, his home diocese, and the Archdiocese of New York, where he served as an auxiliary bishop from 1951 to 1966. The dispute centered on the desire of Archbishop Sheen’s closest living relative, Joan Sheen Cunningham, to have him interred at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, and a statement in his will asking for interment in a New York cemetery.
The issue is resolved on June 7, 2019, when the New York State Court of Appeals granted Cunningham’s request. Twenty days later, Archbishop Sheen’s body is moved to St. Mary’s Cathedral, and his cause was officially reopened.
July 6, 2019
Pope Francis formally recognizes the miracle attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, paving the way for his beatification — the second stage of the sainthood process.
Nov. 19, 2019
Pope Francis notifies the Diocese of Peoria that he has called for Archbishop Sheen’s beatification ceremony to be held on Dec. 21, 2019, in Peoria.
Dec. 3, 2019
Bishop Jenky announces that, following a request from some U.S. bishops, mainly Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester, the Vatican has decided to indefinitely postpone Archbishop Sheen’s beatification ceremony to investigate further his tenure as Rochester’s bishop from 1966 to 1969, and whether or not he would be accused of mishandling cases of sexual abuse or misconduct. No accusations have been brought against Archbishop Sheen.
Feb. 9, 2026
Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria, Illinois, announces that the Vatican has greenlit the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Announcing the news, Bishop Tylka, who succeeded Bishop Jenky, said, “The Holy See has informed me that the Cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed,” putting Archbishop Sheen one step closer to becoming the first native son of the U.S. to become a saint.
“Archbishop Fulton Sheen was one of the greatest voices of evangelization in the Church and the world in the 20th century,” Bishop Tylka added. With his beatification, Archbishop Sheen is one step closer to becoming the first native son of the United States to become a saint.