Catholic News Agency: Rochester bishop requested Fulton Sheen beatification delay

By JD Flynn and Ed Condon

 

Excerpts from CNA release

Vatican City, Dec 4, 2019:  The beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen was delayed at the request of Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester, [NY] according to several sources close to the beatification process.

The bishop is reported to have requested the delay due to concerns that Sheen could be cited in the final report covering an ongoing state attorney general’s investigation into New York’s bishops and dioceses.

Sheen, Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969, was a prolific author and television personality, and set to be beatified on Dec. 21, the last step before a person can be declared a saint. A “postponement” of the beatification was announced by the Peoria diocese on Dec. 3.

According to a source close to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, Matano contacted the apostolic nuncio after the beatification date was set, to express concerns that Sheen could be named in a report by the attorney general, or accused of insufficiently handling allegations of abuse during his tenure as Rochester’s bishop.

There was apparently specific concern that such an allegation against Sheen could be timed to coincide with the beatification on Dec. 21, sources told CNA.

“A beatification is a celebration,” an official close to the Secretariat of State told CNA about the decision to postpone. “The purpose is to help the faith of the people, not to be an occasion for scandal and problems, nothing is lost by waiting and maybe some things are avoided.” U.S. bishops consulted reportedly reached consensus that it would be “imprudent” to proceed with the beatification plans until after the attorney general’s report has been released and the matter resolved. The Diocese of Rochester declined to answer questions from CNA, but did provide a statement: “The decision to postpone the beatification of Archbishop Sheen was solely the decision of the Holy See. Respecting the competency of the Holy See in this matter, the Diocese will decline further comment.” 

For full CNA article see:

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/rochester-bishop-requested-fulton-sheen-beatification-delay-sources-say-20096?_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_xxhV_asA2a9BWcAzqcpGrUSY9PR4QbE1UPeVi3V_DUfLNFgkP4UzcMG_wCibUz7fbKeLM-f8sPvuky6VyhgjHwPgZgw&_hsmi=80329128&fbclid=IwAR0xj7B3M0h1cOBV4OA2ZoBgpYEkqxe69BSWlrrLTaNEEXvp9k9Sq3xKBs

or

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/rochester-bishop-requested-fulton-sheen-beatification-delay-sources-say-20096

Also see later release here from LifeSiteNews:

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/revealed-ny-bishop-called-for-delay-of-abp-sheens-beatification?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com&utm_campaign=7160f53d6e-Catholic_12_5_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12387f0e3e-7160f53d6e-402220649

and see earlier release here:

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-vatican-postpones-beatification-of-fulton-sheen-after-request-by-some-us-bishops

 

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