With the expressed will of his oldest living relative, the body of the Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, will eventually be moved from New York to his home diocese of Peoria in Illinois. This comes after many years of dialogue between the Archdiocese of New York, who had Sheen’s remains interred in the crypt of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Diocese of Peoria, who wishes to place Sheen in the crypt of Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, where he received his First Communion and where he was ordained a priest. His parents are buried nearby Saint Mary’s and his remaining relatives still are in the area.

The Archdiocese of New York maintained that Sheen specifically asked to be buried in New York and stated that a Vatican document released ten years ago specifically asked to keep his body in New York. Cardinal Timothy Dolan reported that he would not release the body unless the family explicitly asked for it.

We view the latest actions as a step forward in moving the process of the canonization of this incredible media apostle, Fulton J. Sheen.

We want Fulton Sheen canonized – that’s the issue. He has the miracle to “back up” his sanctity.

Pray for the canonization of Fulton J. Sheen, who always believed that salvation comes through the Catholic Church and that our nation has a key role to play in the promotion of peace and justice in the world. We need saints like Sheen more than ever in our times.