Film followed by conversation about Sheen, canonization process
Follow That Bishop, a documentary exploring the life and legacy of Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, was screened at Carey Auditorium on September 27 at an event sponsored by the Knights of Columbus (KofC). The film highlighted Archbishop Sheen’s influential career as a Catholic bishop, Emmy award-winning TV personality, and vocal critic of communism. Following the screening, a panel discussion centered on Archbishop Sheen’s path to canonization and the ongoing efforts to recognize his sainthood.
The film, which premiered in April 2023, was produced by Rome Reports TV News Agency. Directed by Antonio Olivié, the documentary emphasized Archbishop Sheen’s dedication to the Gospel, his work ethic, and his humility, and it also featured commentary by Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota.
Past KofC Grand Knight Christopher Winter told the Rover, “The documentary provided a brief, yet sound, look at the life of Venerable Fulton Sheen. It was clearly well thought out, researched, and produced. The documentary really brought out the depth of Fulton Sheen’s faith, his incredible discipline and work ethic, and his simple life that was devoted to spreading the Gospel.”
Winter continued, “Even the FBI, who were investigating him due to comments he was making about communism … recognized his saintliness, sincerity, and poverty of spirit. The documentary did an excellent job in calling to attention these qualities of his.”
Archbishop Sheen’s public denunciations of the Soviet Union attracted the attention of the FBI before anti-communist sentiment became widespread in the U.S., but even those who were skeptical of Archbishop Sheen recognized his saintliness and integrity. FBI agents tasked with monitoring Archbishop Sheen quickly became intrigued by his sincerity and genuine character.
One striking moment in the documentary revealed that Archbishop Sheen was later invited to deliver a graduation speech at the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C. His speech, described as one of the finest and most inspirational ever heard by the FBI, further demonstrated the respect he garnered even among those who once scrutinized him.
The documentary also resonated with students who found Archbishop Sheen’s devotion relatable. One senior from Baumer Hall shared with the Rover, “I really appreciated getting a chance to learn more about such a recent holy man. So often the saints can seem distant and ancient and impossible to follow in my own life today. But the documentary helped me to see what living out the faith well today can look like.”
He commented on the documentary’s focus on the role of the Eucharist in Archbishop Sheen’s life: “It was a privilege to hear about Venerable Fulton Sheen’s deep devotion to the Eucharist. He saw praying for an hour every day before the Blessed Sacrament absolutely indispensable to his priesthood, which has inspired me to value having adoration in [Coleman-Morse] for so long each day as a real privilege to take advantage of.”
Also in attendance was Bishop Daniel Jenky, C.S.C., who initiated Archbishop Sheen’s cause for canonization in Peoria, Illinois.
After the screening, a panel discussion led by Monsignor Jason Gray, Executive Director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, addressed various questions from the audience, many of which focused on the delays in Archbishop Sheen’s canonization.
In response to a question about the status of the canonization, Msgr. Gray explained the intricacies involved. “The cause itself has been through a lot of twists and turns,” he noted, explaining that there had been significant legal and procedural delays, including disputes over the location of Archbishop Sheen’s remains and last-minute concerns about his handling of clergy abuse cases.
Msgr. Gray emphasized that thorough investigations had cleared Archbishop Sheen of any mishandling, but the timing of the beatification was postponed due to sensitivities surrounding abuse scandals in the American Church. He reassured the audience that Archbishop Sheen’s beatification will proceed when conditions are deemed appropriate.
Another question focused on the miracles attributed to Archbishop Sheen, especially the well-documented case of James Fulton, a child who revived after being pronounced dead for 61 minutes. Msgr. Gray provided insight into the investigative process for miracles, explaining that while Archbishop Sheen’s beatification is approved, a second miracle is required for full sainthood.
Msgr. Gray explained, “Any miracle that comes forward after 2019 is good for canonization. … So pray now, because we might actually have a case where we’ve got the miracle for canonization before we’ve actually celebrated the beatification.”
One audience member asked about the cultural impact Archbishop Sheen had beyond his religious influence. Msgr. Gray responded by recalling Archbishop Sheen’s famous conversion of Bella Dodd, a prominent communist figure in the U.S.
“Sheen worked tirelessly to bring people back to the Church, even those deeply entrenched in communism,” Msgr. Gray stated. “His ability to engage with people from all walks of life was remarkable.”
Sophomore Lipe Fernandes commented on the presence of Msgr. Gray, saying to the Rover, “His perspective shed more light on the process of Sheen’s canonization, as well as being able to share more detailed knowledge on his life.”
As the panel concluded, there was a sense of hope for Archbishop Sheen’s canonization. Many attendees expressed a deep appreciation for the documentary’s insights into Archbishop Sheen’s holiness and the ongoing process to have him officially recognized as a saint by the Church. One audience member summarized the sentiment, stating that she was eager to see “a man of such influence and devotion” recognized on the global stage.
Marcelle Couto is a senior studying theology and in the Program of Liberal Studies. She can be reached at mcouto@nd.edu.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
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