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Two 'miracles' surface in Sheen sainthood bid
By Jan Dennis
Associated Press
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PEORIA -- Two decades after Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen died, Catholic leaders say two dying people survived through prayers in the name of the Illinois native who became a national celebrity in the early days of television.

Officials hope the alleged miracles ultimately bring sainthood for the small-screen pioneer from tiny El Paso whose weekly Christian program was America's most-watched show at one point during its five-year run in the 1950s.

Miracles aside, it could be years before the Vatican decides whether to canonize Sheen, based on past cases that have stretched for decades or even centuries, said Monsignor Richard Soseman, who is heading Sheen's sainthood bid for the Diocese of Peoria.

"It's a very slow process. The church has to be very careful when considering candidates for sainthood," Soseman said.

Though a key to sainthood, miracles don't even come into play until a tribunal researches the life and works of the late archbishop, a process that began in 2003 for Sheen and could take five or 10 more years, Soseman said.

If the study deems Sheen a model of Catholic virtue, proof of a miracle would lead to beatification - the last step before sainthood. Proof of a second miracle would then make Sheen a saint.

Soseman said the miracles attributed Sheen are "powerful," based on evidence collected from family members and doctors.

One, detailed in a 500-page report shipped to Rome last weekend, involved a 72-year-old Champaign woman who was undergoing lung surgery when doctors discovered a tear in her main pulmonary artery.

As surgeons worked to halt the bleeding, her husband said he prayed for two hours, continually invoking Sheen's name. Later, a doctor told the family that tears are usually fatal "but somehow she pulled through," according to the report.

"The consensus is there was no other logical explanation. All we can say is, `Yes, it seems something extraordinary happened,'" Soseman said.

The second alleged miracle involved a boy born about five years ago in Pennsylvania who doctors predicted wouldn't live long due to complications of childbirth, Soseman said.

Middle-named for Sheen because of his father's devotion to the archbishop, the boy "came out of it suddenly" as his parents prayed, seeking Sheen's intercession, Soseman said. A report on the alleged miracle is being prepared by the Pittsburgh diocese.

Officials say two claims of miracles are unusual so early in a sainthood investigation and that more could surface before Sheen's bid goes to the Vatican.

If canonized today, Sheen would be the first saint from Illinois and the first male saint born in the U.S., said Bill Ryan, spokesman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Sheen, who died in 1979, is perhaps best known for his weekly Christian program called "Life is Worth Living." He also wrote 66 books and countless articles and newspaper columns.

But officials leading Sheen's sainthood bid say he should be remembered more for his lifelong effort to bring people to Christ, spreading a message of how to love God and love your neighbor.

"I am delighted to think that an American son born in our American heartland is a possibility for sainthood," Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky said in a statement. "To have a son of the heartland witness for Jesus in such a spectacular way, I'd be as proud as I can be."

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Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who died in 1979, is perhaps best known for his weekly Christian program called "Life is Worth Living." He also wrote 66 books and countless articles and newspaper columns.
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Reader comments on this story - 47 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

??? wrote on Jul 28, 2006 5:17 PM:

" The only miracle i would like to see is the end of religion.... "

GolfFan wrote on Jul 28, 2006 3:44 PM:

" To: "to GolfFan: You're right. I shouldn't have mad a funny about El Paso. I love El Paso. Also, I'd like to point to a little irony regarding all these posts. Since I'm old enough to have watched B. Sheen on t.v., I can attest to his wonderful sense of humor. That's mainly what I remember and, I believe, that's what kept folks watching him, week after week, year after year. And he was not above polking fun at himself to help make a point. His message, never fire and brimstone, was simple: Jesus taught us that we should love and care for one another. And he tried to show us how to do it. That's the only miracle he was trying to perform. Everything else is just gilding the lilly. I can't help believing that, were he here to vote on his own canonization, his vote would be "no". He'd probably be laughing at that idea, right along with everyone else. "

jimmy wrote on Jul 28, 2006 1:54 PM:

" at least the pantagraph had the good sense to use quote marks around miracle and refer to them as "alleged"... because this is news as much as a report on the potential election of the new exhalted grand-poobah. "

agree with the archibish wrote on Jul 28, 2006 1:39 PM:

" I would be happy to love my neighbor. If only her husband would allow it. "

re:hocus pocus wrote on Jul 28, 2006 12:48 PM:

" Right on the nail. Everyone else here seems afraid of your opinion... "

re: to Hmmmmm wrote on Jul 28, 2006 12:44 PM:

" I say again sorry for my mis reading the article, gee whiz mistakes happen SORRY i am not as perfect as you all. "

Too funny wrote on Jul 28, 2006 12:43 PM:

" You don't have to rock the boat hard to anger Christians. They all get defensive when you don't believe, and their answer as always, "god" still loves you. We'll I don't love him, so quit saying it. If I wanted to believe in fairy tells, I would start believing in Santa clause again. The only thing a Christian can do is threaten what their "god" will do. It never occurs to them that they should look out of their tiny box, and admit to the reality that MOST people don't and won't believe in god... "

YadaYada wrote on Jul 28, 2006 12:06 PM:

" I spent a large part of my impressionable pre-teen and teenage years in the 1950s. During that time, I seldom missed the opportunity to watch and listen to Bishop F.J. Sheen; me and lots of other teens. Bishop Sheen touched this protestant's spirit and soul in so many ways and on so many different levels that the effects cannot be recognized or measured. He was at once and always instructive, inspiring, humerous and entertaining. Bishop Sheen's TV show's popularity ratings clearly demonstrates others responded to him substantially the same way. If the people of his denomination desire to honor his memory and pay homage to his service, faith and dedication by conferring upon him the highest ecclesiastical recognition, then the rest of us should fully support that. Besides, wouldn't it be an honor for the citizens of Central Illinois to have one of its own canonized? But, if the church declines, Bishop Sheen still has our lasting respect and gratitude. And, I still have a free choice remaining for my archangel......... "

Re: to hhmm wrote on Jul 28, 2006 11:57 AM:

" i guess i don't understand. are "they" saying that Mr. Sheen after his death that these supposed miracles happened? that's what the story looks like to me. "

re: to to hmmmm wrote on Jul 28, 2006 11:40 AM:

" i am not critical of your mistake, but the entire argument that you propose is based on your misreading of important parts of the story "

re:to to hmm wrote on Jul 28, 2006 9:46 AM:

" never said i made a mistake. we all do. no problem. have a good day "

to to hmmmmm wrote on Jul 28, 2006 9:39 AM:

" Excuse me my mistake, like you have never made a mistake, "

planner wrote on Jul 28, 2006 9:34 AM:

" sweet, I bet the owner of Topsy's in El Paso is excited that his bar might one day be a site of pilgrammage. He better stock up on some extra Holy Water and Jesus Juice. "

Wendy wrote on Jul 28, 2006 9:10 AM:

" I'm old enough to remember the show when it originally aired. Also, reruns are shown on EWTN. I think he was a very intelligent and nice man who was able to hold the audience with his down to earth messages. I think it's great that he may be made a saint. By the way, I am protestant and don't really hold to all the sainthood stuff, but Catholics are Christian, too. "

To to hmmmmm wrote on Jul 28, 2006 8:59 AM:

" how could the miracles be received before he died if the boy was saved 5 years ago and this dude died 20 years ago. maybe you should read the article. "

To GolfFan wrote on Jul 28, 2006 8:29 AM:

" What is your problem with El Paso, it is a nice town. Unless your visited or lived here don't knock it. I think it is great that El Paso FINALLY gets some positive attention from the press, all we ever get is bad press "

to HHHMMM wrote on Jul 28, 2006 8:28 AM:

" If you read the article it said the miracles were received before he died. "

To: Jackson wrote on Jul 28, 2006 8:27 AM:

" Central Illinois ... the Bible Belt??? Very conservative definitely, but not part of what is typically considered the Bible Belt. "

Kent Dorfman wrote on Jul 28, 2006 8:22 AM:

" This is why it's called "blind faith." Either you have it or not. If you don't think there's a God, good for you. If you do, good for you. Quit shoving what you believe on others - nobody wants to hear it. Treat others like you want to be treated and we can all get along. "

100% wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:53 AM:

" 100% of people used to believe the world was flat. They were wrong. Or at least MOST people now believe they were wrong. I wouldn't rule out the people trying to 'saint' this guy. They may still be Flat Earth adherents. "

To: ye of little faith wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:51 AM:

" Do you have faith the size of a mustard seed? If you can't move a mountain, then I guess it is YOU of little faith, then, eh? "

Agnostic wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:46 AM:

" It's amazing that these so-called miracles just "surfaced" as sainthood is being considered. What a crock. "

mtt wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:37 AM:

" Turning water into wine, parting the red sea, now those were miracles. "

We'll never learn will we wrote on Jul 28, 2006 7:23 AM:

" Just go back folks and read what you have all writtten....think we are headed for a war in here? Shame Christians don't just WALK the WALK...and stop this TALKING. Practice, practice, practice. Christ would be so pleased to read this from His Followers. Anger is all over the place in here. Christ is LOVE...not anger. Now go and have a good day. "

to AT wrote on Jul 28, 2006 6:50 AM:

" I am very much a Christian but a Protestant. While not vehemently stating that sainthood should not exist, I tend to think this a stretch and articles of this nature just tend to hurt the Christian cause more than help it. "

ye of little faith wrote on Jul 28, 2006 6:43 AM:

" You don't have to be a “god” to perform miracles. Matthew 17:20: “if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” And religion was not made by man. Matthew 16:16-18: “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.’” "

JACKSON wrote on Jul 28, 2006 6:00 AM:

" IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE CONSENSUS OF YOUR BLOGGERS IS THAT THEY HATE CATHOLICS. NOT A SURPRISING REACTION COMING FROM THE BIBLE BELT I JUST WONDER HOW FAR THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT WILL GO TO BESMEARCH THOSE NOT OF THE SAME FOLD. "

GolfFan wrote on Jul 28, 2006 5:49 AM:

" The other "miracle" is that he managed to get out of El Paso. "

HHHMMM wrote on Jul 28, 2006 5:32 AM:

" so how do people do miracles after death? the Bible i read says in the twinkling of an eye your 1 of 2 places. not performing miracles "

A. T. responds again wrote on Jul 28, 2006 1:28 AM:

" As a spiritual man I can ask this question of you. A religious man would hold his tongue (keyboard) at this juncture. Here's the question...Are you stupid or what? Twice I've pointed out to you tunnel visioned posters that I do NOT follow a particular religion. Religion and the attending ceremony is an invention of man. Ergo do not have to "learn" any religious dogma. (maybe the 11:17 pm poster should read the posts he's responding to before he launches) The God I write about is THE capital "G" God of the Bible. As I understand the rest of them (gods) may indeed exist but they are not to be held above God. And (yes I know I shouldn't begin a sentence that way) I still maintain that God (note the capitalization) loves you whether you like it or not. Whether you believe or not. God loves Hezbollah. God loves Homosexuals. God loves the creepiest crackhead behind the nastiest dumpster. He loves the world. So much in fact that He sent His only Son...well, you know the rest. Don't you? "

you will see wrote on Jul 28, 2006 1:05 AM:

" The most horrifying sight of all . A God you didn't believe would dare to exist . And does not appreciate the conjuring up of a dead priest . "

wow wrote on Jul 28, 2006 12:39 AM:

" this is funny they lived because their bodies healed themselves "

re: to: attack this responds wrote on Jul 27, 2006 11:17 PM:

" What god are you talking about? Did you forget there are about 2000 different gods on this earth, subjectively speaking? Maybe you should say "Jesus"...at least learn your religion before you speak. "

To: attack this responds wrote on Jul 27, 2006 11:14 PM:

" You seem repetitive, not informative. Religion loses in my mind all the time... "

Attack This responds wrote on Jul 27, 2006 10:51 PM:

" Read...Religion is man made. I am Not a religious person. Spirituality comes from God. I am a spiritual person. Believe whatever you want. God loves you anyway. "

whatever wrote on Jul 27, 2006 9:46 PM:

" freedom of religion is protected, not just your religion..get a clue! "

To: attack this wrote on Jul 27, 2006 9:46 PM:

" Yea and I’ll see you in an objective world, not fantasy land...religious weirdo coming through...It seems to me that religious people threaten you with what might happen; but only with their belief, no one else’s matter… "

hocus pocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 9:43 PM:

" Haha 80% of people don't believe in "god. Wow talk about an inflated ego. There are 6.5 billion people on earth; only at the most 1 billion believe in god. Even those that believe don't believe in the same version, that’s why there are different denominations. Think about it, if it had to do with numbers then Buddhism or Hinduism would beat Christianity. Numbers shouldn't matter anyways if you really believe. It has nothing to do with respect; it has to do with reality... "

Attack This wrote on Jul 27, 2006 9:37 PM:

" Religion is man made...Spirituality comes from the God that created life. Your life. The God that loves you sooo much that's He's willing to let you decide. It's OK if you don't believe in God. He still believes in you. Have a nice day. See some of you in Heaven. "

To ???? and hocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 9:03 PM:

" Plus it's really too bad you both can't even respect what others believe. Now I know why religion is protected in the constitution - look at what the replacement would be! "

Miracle needed wrote on Jul 27, 2006 9:02 PM:

" A miracle is needed to stop religious leaders from molesting children. People pray for miracles. They don't happen and the answer is it's Gods will. If something does happen it's a MIRACLE! Religion wins either way. "

To ??? and hocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 8:48 PM:

" I believe you made your claim here first, so I'm still waiting for you to prove your point that God doesn't exist. If it was so clear then 80% of us wouldn't believe God existed in the first place. So I'm waiting for this proof, this new breakthrough in our "evolution" that will finally put to rest this whole thing about the existence of a God. I'm waiting... "

To: To ???? and hocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 7:29 PM:

" Why don't you prove that god does exist, I think that would be allot harder. Unless of course you just go off beliefs, there isn't any tangible argument you can use that proves s/he does exist. "

Re: To???? and hocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 7:26 PM:

" If you did understand you wouldn't argue for something that doesn't exist. Geeze you think people would understand all religion is purely superstition, don't you think? Another thing; one armchair scientist to another, aren't you preaching to the choir? "

To ???? and hocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 7:19 PM:

" ??? - I would certainly like to see you prove your claim. And hocus, you say they have a lack of understanding? I believe I understand both, and armchair science is so limiting, don't you think? "

???? wrote on Jul 27, 2006 7:01 PM:

" So, now I'm supposed to believe this yahoo performed miracles? There isn't even a god, idiots. "

hocus pocus wrote on Jul 27, 2006 6:50 PM:

" Looks like the subjective wins again. Maybe if I pray hard enough; these people will thank the medical advances that saved them, not some hocus-pocus. The sooner we can agree that believing is OK, but shouldn’t be taken so seriously will be a great day. These slow movers in evolution are surely the most religious. We can’t even splice master cells because these religious opinions can’t understand the importance of putting fiction aside for science. Articles like this just depress me even more because it shows a lack of understanding… "
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