The Patron Saint of Freedom

The useful part

Patterson Search As someone who began researching Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen back in 2010, it has been remarkable to see his resurgence in popularity, and even more so to witness his beatification. Sheen had a timeless charisma that emerged in his writing, in his radio and television programs, and in his unrivaled preaching skills.

How it works

• Embarrassed by a unanimous decision against him, Dolan spontaneously opened an investigation into an abuser-priest who was under Sheen's authority while he was Bishop of Rochester (1966–69).
• How strange and oddly fitting for Sheen's fate, in death as in life, to be tied up in the machinations of a New York Archbishop.
• Sheen the Scholar That would come at the later end of Sheen's career, however.
• we should credit Maritain with showing him how to use "homely and vivid illustrations" to such great effect!
• Sheen, however, survived his rival and moved in to fill the vacuum when Coughlin's star finally fell.

What to take from it

Ironically, he is sometimes written off as a lightweight precisely because he was so successful at communicating difficult ideas in accessible ways. The contrast is also important to note because Sheen had competition for top radio priest, one that he was initially losing. Instead, his problem with liberalism is that it is too morally incomplete to preserve the moral discipline a free people need to govern themselves.

Example or evidence

• In honor of Sheen's beatification, I offer this personal tribute for Law & Liberty readers.
• Even non-Catholic or non-religious readers ought to appreciate what he accomplished for political freedom.
• Indeed, if it were up to me, I would make Sheen the patron saint of political freedom.
• A Clerical Dust-Up Last Thursday, September 24, 2026, the Catholic Church beatified Sheen, the last step before canonization.

Details worth keeping

The United States has very few canonized saints when compared to other nations, as a young country where Catholics are a minority. The list provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has only seventeen, and the inclusion of St. Teresa of Calcutta feels a bit like cheating.

Related coverage

• Realclearreligion: James M. Patterson, Law & Liberty As someone who began researching Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen back in 2010, it has been remarkable to see his resurgence in popularity, and even more...