By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

The cause for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen is set to advance next month when Bishop Daniel J. Jenky of Peoria will present the Pope with the position paper summarizing the life and virtue of one of America’s most beloved television evangelists.

Ave Maria Radio has announced that Bishop Jenky, who became the Bishop of Competence sponsoring Sheen’s cause in 2002, will present the position papers, known as a “positio,” to the Pope on May 25, at which time it will be handed over to the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. The filing of the positio is the initial step in the Vatican’s process to determine whether an individual should be beatified and canonized as a saint.

Once this step has been completed, an investigation can begin into a miracle that may have occurred as a result of prayer to Archbishop Sheen. Msgr. Stanley Deptula, executive directcor of the Archbishop Sheen Foundation, said the foundation believes a miracle has already been granted through the intercession of Bishop Sheen, but would not release details, as is usually the case when a miracle is under investigation.

Bishop Sheen, who was born and raised in Peoria where he was later ordained a priest is best known for his television program, “Life is Worth Living,” which he broadcast from New York City after being appointed an auxiliary bishop in 1951. He later served as Bishop of Rochester. After his death in 1979, he was buried in the crypt of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

“America is in need of a saint like Archbishop Sheen,” said Fr. Andrew Apostoli, the vice postulator tasked with preparing and advocating Sheen’s cause.

“He brought so many people closer to Christ during his life here on earth and continues to do so even today through his many writings, television and radio shows,”

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