Bishop Fulton J Sheen : Short Biography

The Venerable Fulton John Sheen (born Peter John Sheen 1895 – 1979) was an American bishop (later archbishop) of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Bishop Sheen is most famous for his radio show, "The Catholic Hour" and his television show, "Life is Worth Living." The cause for his canonization as a saint was officially opened in 2002.

Sheen's maternal grandparents came from Croghan, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.  John Fulton (1829 - 1905) and Mary nee Fulton (1837 - 1919), were Irish immigrants.  In 1855, John Fulton of Croghan, emigrated to the USA and settled in Akron Township in Peoria County and then sent for his true love Mary Fulton.

Mary had three sisters that traveled to America together with her;

Bridget C. Fulton who married Patrick Callery,

Sarah Fulton who 1st married Rufus Keach, and  2nd married David Holmes and

Ellen Fulton 1st married James Marlett 2nd married Michael Chambers.

Also traveling with them was John Fulton's brother who was separated from the group the first day of arrival and no more is known of him.

John & Mary Fulton raised their large family on a farm in Kickapoo, Illinois, slightly to the northwest of Peoria.  Their only daughter Delia aka Brigid Fulton (1864-1943) married  Newton Sheen (1863-1944) whose father Peter Sheen (1817 - 1890) was also an Irish-born immigrant.  Bishop Fulton Sheen (who had been baptised as Peter) was their first born. "When I was enrolled in the parochial school my grandfather Fulton was asked my name and he answered,' It's Fulton'" said the bishop, and that his how the Croghan family name was kept alive.

Bishop Fulton Sheen visited Ireland several times, The last occasion on which he was here was in April 1952, when he re-dedicated the Church of St. Michael in Croghan, Co. Roscommon. Crowds flocked from afar for this big occasion and it really put Croghan on the map. The Feelys of Croghan were know to be relatives of his at that time.

Irish Independent 1905-current, Friday, November 07, 1952; Page: 6

Bishop Fulton Sheen on Radio & Television

THE Right Rev. Doctor Fulton Sheen, the auxiliary Bishop of New York, who is one of the best known of United States writers, preachers and broadcasters over wireless and television, is to be the first Major guest of Canada's Government controlled television system, whieh began telecasting a few weeks ago.

The Bishop, who has a weekly audience of 2,000,000 televiewers in the United States, speaks for half-an-hour on such topics as love, freedom, war and peace, under the general heading Life Is Worth Living.

His programme runs for 26 weeks. He is a veteran broadcaster, having spoken for 22 years over the Catholic Hour programme.

Proceeds to Charity

UNTIL recently his television appearances were presented free by the Du Mont network, and he himself received no stipend. From now on for this season's appearances, and with the option ot two more seasons, the Admiral Corporation, television equipment makers, will sponsor the Bishop to the tune of $1,000,000 (about £350,000). He will use the proceeds for the Mission Humanity Fund, an international and Interdenominational charity organisation set up by himself.

Bishop Sheen, who is a skilled theologian, is also master of the popular theatrical presentation which has won a top rating among audiences of his television programme. Soon after it began Du Mont reported receiving 8,500 letters weekly.

Critics were enthusiastic, and the 17 stations carrying his series in the United States noted that his television opposition was declining in popularity. He appears on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. competing with Milton Berle, who is telecast over the National Broadcasting Corporation networks and who was formerly.the top attraction on television in the United States.

A Popular Speaker

COMMENT on the Bishop's television appearances have been both lively and amusing. Milton Berle is reported to have said: "If I'm going to be eased off the top by anyone, it's better that I lose to the One for whom Bishop Sheen is speaking." It is likely that comment in Canada on the Bishop's television appearances will be enthusiastic. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, over whose Montreal station the show opens on November 18, has until-now been slow to admit American programmes. This is partly because ~ of fear of criticism from the vocal cultural group in Canada who advocate _^Canada first," especially where radio and television are concerned. The Canadian television audience is still small and grouped around Toronto and Montreal; the policy is to go slowly. The Bishop is a Popvter speaker in Canada. I -ecall driving from Ottawa to Montreal and back la total of 250 miles) one evening to hear him speak. In the United States he Is chiefly known as the author of 36 books some of a general type Use Peace of Soul, lift Vv Your Heart,.and others of a weightier nature like The Philosophy of Religion.

Made Many Converts

BISHOP SHEEN has also converted a large number of non-Catholics. His instructions, held both for individuals and groups, have helped in the conversion to Catholicism of such figures as Fritz Kreisler, Claire Boothe Luce (the writer), the stage designer Jo Mlelziner, Henry Ford II, the former Communist Louis Budenz and the famous "newspaperman Heywood Broun. . ' y 

Bishop Sheen,' who was consecrated auxiliary Bishop to Cardinal Spellman in June, 1951, was born near Peoria, Illinois, in 1895. He is of Irish descent; his grandfather emigrated from Croghan, Co. Roscommon, in 1855, and Bishop Sheen has cousins residing in Croghan, Tuam and Boyle.

Bishop Sheen's was a humble home and from an early age he wanted to be a priest. He was ordained in 1919 and did two years graduate work-in the Catholic University of America in Washington, later going to Belgium to study at Louvain. There he became the first American to win the Cardinal Mercier prize for the best philosophical treatise in a decade.

Visits to Ireland

THENCE he crossed to London to be assistant priest in St. Patrick's, Soho, a parish with many Irish and Italian members. When 30 years old he returned to Peoria to work in St. Patrick's parish, the poorest in the town. After a short while there he began his 25 years as a professor of theology at the Catholic University in Washington. Bishop Sheen has paid several visits to Ireland. The last occasion on which he was here was in April of this year, when he dedicated the Church of St. Michael in Croghan, Co. Roscommon. He is to-day director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the United States, and with a staff of 30, writes to 100,000 missionaries, copes with about 2,000 letters daily, and administers the work of 128 diocesan directors of the society in America. Bishop Sheen is a striking symptom in North America of the renewed curiosity about Christianity and, particularly Catholicism. Like celebrated preachers of other days, he does not spare his hearers. In 1949, he told Congress: You ought to pray to God now as never before that 'He will not use Russia as the Instrument of His Justice for the liquidation of a Western world that has forgotten God. Instead of perfunctorily praying to God and then tabling the prayers as "unfinished business," we say to you: Gentlemen, this is the unfinished business – your prayers.