Another Delay For Fulton

The announcement a couple of days ago that the beatification of Ven. Archbishop Fulton Sheen was to be postponed came as a shock to many, myself included, and has led to a great deal of discussion, and indeed arguing, on social media. Some people said things they should not have said and have apologised, others are venting their anger and many are trying to figure out why there is another delay and who is behind it. As I said in one of my own tweets in response to the news, 'I'm sure we will come to our own conclusions on this one', and many have.

Just in the last day it has been revealed that it was the Bishop of Rochester, Salvatore Matano, who requested the delay because a report on abuse in the dioceses of the New York province, of which Rochester is one, is due to be released and Fulton may feature since he served as Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969. The bishop was concerned that a date had been fixed for the beatification with this looming over him.

There is no doubt that Fulton's journey to the altars has been one full of controversy, delays and painful inching through processes; now there is another obstacle to be overcome. For those who know and love Fulton, this obstacle is another sore afflicted by the Church upon a man who was holy, faithful and dynamic in proclaiming the Gospel. His life on earth was difficult, he faced extraordinary opposition from the clergy for many reasons, one being jealousy, and another being his refusal to conform Christianity to the fashions of the age. His period as bishop of Rochester could best be described as a via dolorosa and he was well out of it when he resigned and returned to appointments that used his gifts more effectively for the good of the Church and her mission. 

The last years of his life were particularly difficult as he was sidelined by the clergy though still loved by the people. The gesture by Pope St John Paul II in St Patrick's Cathedral in New York on the 2nd October 1979, when the pope called for him and embraced him in the full view of all, was a message not only for Fulton but for the clergy who had opposed him: John Paul was declaring that Fulton Sheen was a man who had lived his whole life in the heart of the Church -he was indeed 'a faithful son of the Church'.

Now the suffering continues for his devotees and, ironically, it is Rochester again. However, as many people have correctly pointed out in the last few days: Fulton is in heaven and is counted among the Saints. The miracles, Bishop Jenky of Peoria has told us, are continuing - these are the signs the Church sought as confirmation of his sanctity and God is providing in abundance. Devotees must take heart from that and continue their prayers so he may be beatified very soon. 

My view of this may prove controversial here, but I think, having considered all that has happened in the last couple of days, and the reason given by Bishop Matano, it might be best to wait until this report is out. If Fulton is mentioned, it may mean questions may have to be answered or issues clarified. This delay may be prudent, and while it may try the patience of his devotees, I have no doubt that patience will be rewarded. Such delays, though rare, are not unheard of. When he was elected, Pope Benedict XVI postponed the beatification of the Ven. Fr Leon Dehon, founder of the Sacred Heart fathers: accusations of antisemitism were made against him, so the pope felt it was prudent to investigate further. The Cause of Cardinal Terence Cooke of New York is also on hold as his record regarding accusations of abuse is being investigated thoroughly.

Some have said that this delay has placed a question mark over the Process and the diligence with which the Cause was conducted. I can assure you, from what I know, the people working in the Congregation for the Causes of Saints are diligent and strict. Indeed, I have heard Postulators complain about how strict they are, how much paperwork there is and how long it take them go through the evidence. These servants of the Church know they have to be cautious and be sure that the candidate in front of them has truly lived a life of heroic virtue.

At this stage, there is little more we can say. We just have to wait and pray. What would Fulton make of all this? I think he would be laughing - he is still 'a sign of contradiction' as was his Lord - one who manifested great holiness and is subject to opposition and trials. But then, I think he would be looking down on those who are calling out to him seeking his intercession. Fulton loved people as he loved his God, the bureaucracy and politics of the Church wore him out. He preferred to proclaim the Gospel and guide souls. So perhaps Fulton would tell us to keep praying, reading and studying the word of God and live lives of great charity so as to touch the hearts of those who are still far from God.

We shall see how things progress. Thanks to social media there are many who will watch how things develop carefully, and that is no harm. A prudent delay can sometimes be subtly changed into a longer, unnecessary hiatus; for the sake of the faithful that must be avoided at all costs. Why at all costs? Because the faithful must be treated with respect and if one whom they see to be a saint, and their sense (the sensus fidelium) has been confirmed by God, is delayed by certain factions because that saint makes them uncomfortable, then that is an injustice against the faithful and against God as much as it is against the saint.

For now, prayer.