By Neil Doyle
PEORIA – The Diocese of Peoria announced Tuesday that Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s Beatification has been postponed.
Sheen’s Beatification was supposed to happen Dec. 21 after Pope Francis called for the ceremony. Beatification is a title achieved before one can become a saint in the Catholic Church.
“The Holy See decided to postpone the date of Beatification at the request of a few members of the Bishop’s Conference who have asked for further consideration,” the diocese said in a news release.
“It’s important for the faithful to know that there has never been, nor is there now, any allegation against Sheen involving the abuse of a minor,” said the diocese.
The diocese said it has “thoroughly and meticulously” investigated Sheen’s life and at no time has his life of virtue ever been called into question.
“This development is unfortunate especially because there continue to be many miracles reported through Sheen’s intercession. Several have even been reported since the announcement of the Beatification date two weeks ago,” added the diocese.
An El Paso native, Sheen died in 1979. His remains were returned to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria earlier this year, the same place he was ordained as a priest 100 years ago.
Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]
