Manya Brechear Pashman, "Finding by theologians moves Sheen closer to sainthood" (Chicago Tribune, June 18, 2014):
Theologians charged with advising the Vatican on causes for sainthood have agreed that a reported miracle in 2010 should be attributed to the intercession of Fulton Sheen, the archbishop from Peoria known as one of the world's first televangelists, according to church officials.
The case involved a child born in September 2010, according to a statement by the Peoria Diocese, where Sheen was ordained in 1919.
For more than an hour the child demonstrated no signs of life as medical professionals attempted to revive the baby, the diocese said. The child's family sought the intercession of Sheen and, after 61 minutes, the baby reportedly came back to life.
More than three years later, the child has fully recovered, according to the statement from the diocese.
In March of 2014, a team of Vatican medical experts said they could find no natural explanation for the child's case. It will next be reviewed by the cardinals and bishops who make up the Congregation of the Causes of Saints. Final authentication of the miracle must come from Pope Francis. Read more >>
I am happy to see the cause of this holy bishop move forward.
ReplyDeleteI am also happy that procedures for canonization are being followed more closely than they were in the case of Pope Saint John Paul II.
I hope that God will clear away the human obstacles to the canonization of Pope Pius XII.
I try to maintain neutrality about canonization cases. There is something unseemly about cheering "your guy" for canonization, somewhat akin to cheering your favorite quarterback to make the football hall of fame; or praying for "your guy," using prayers like gamblers use dollars. The present bunch, led by our present pope, seems to have no issues with such unseemliness, or with unseemliness as a general principle.
ReplyDeleteIs there a "line" in Vegas on canonization candidates? There must be.
It makes me feel a bit queasy, and frankly a bit moronic. And how much more so when we witness express line canonizations such as those of JP2 and John23?
I remember Bp Sheen's televised chalk talks from the fifties. They were great. Is he a saint? I'm inclined to think so. Does he merit canonization? Maybe. Who am I to say? The seeming flim-flam involved in moving JP's case along at breakneck speed frankly makes me wonder if anyone is entitled to say. But let it go. In the end, it is beside the point.