Information On Archbishop Fulton Sheen

By Tanisha Berg


Fulton John Sheen, born on eighth May in 1895 was a bishop later to become the archbishop Fulton Sheen. He served the Roman Catholic Church. During his time, he became famous for preaching the word of GOD on several TV and radio programs and channels that were aired all over the United States. He began working for the church after being ordained in the Diocese of Peoria. He became well-known for being a theologian after he was ordained.

Sheen was a son to Newton and Delia Sheen living in El Paso, Illinois. He was the first born of his four brothers. History records that he suffered from tuberculosis when he was still an infant. His family moved to Peoria, Illinois where he found his first opportunity to serve in the church. His first role was as an altar boy at St. Mary Cathedral.

Archbishop Fulton went to Spalding Institute where he earned his high school valedictorian before proceeding to St. Viator College in Bourbonnais. After completing studies in Bourbonnais, he went to Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota. He was ordained in September of 1919. He later moved to Wasington for further studies. During his stay in Washington, he served as an altar boy in one of the occasions after being asked by a priest.

Fulton earned his first doctorate from Catholic University of Leuven in the state of Belgium. While in Belgium, he became the first American citizen to be awarded the Cardinal Mercier prize. The following year after earning the award, he moved to Rome to study Theology. He earned his second doctorate degree in the Rome.

The priestly life of Archbishop Fulton began in London where he served as an assistant priest at St, Patrick Church, Soho Square. At the same time, he taught theology at Edmund College. While at the college, he met Ronald Knox. In 1926 he took over St. Patrick Parish following a request of Bishop Edmund Dunne. He was returned to Catholic University to teach theology after nine months of service at the parish.

Eleventh June of 1951 was the day of consecration of Fulton as bishop. Afterwards, he served in New York in the position of auxiliary bishop for 14 years. 1925 was the year he wrote his first book which was folowed by 72 more during his lifetime. In 1930, his teachings started being aired on radio and TV. Some channels still air the teachings to date. The broadcasts receive several thousands of letters weekly from listeners and viewers.

During his life and service in Rochester, he started the Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation. The foundation existed for his entire life after creation and still operates up to this day. Some of his time and energy was also spent on political activities. In October, 1969 he resigned from being bishop. This was after he had celebrated his 50th anniversary of being a priest.

Immediately after his resignation, he was appointed as the Archbishop of the Titular See of Newport. The appointment was done by Pope Paul VI. He continued with writing and wrote many more books, articles, and columns. The number of books he wrote totals up to 73 books.




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