The Cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is moving forward toward beatification, the Diocese of Peoria announced today.

“The Holy See has informed me that the Cause for the Venerable Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen can proceed to Beatification,” said Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria. “The next step in the process is the celebration of the Beatification, in which Fulton Sheen would be declared Blessed.”

Bishop Tylka said the Diocese is working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints at the Vatican to determine the date and details for the celebration. Information will be released as soon as it is available through celebratesheen.com.

In the Catholic Church, beatification is the first major step to sainthood, granting a deceased person the title “Blessed” and allowing limited public veneration (like in a region) after proving heroic virtue and one verified miracle. Canonization is the final step, declaring the person a saint, permitting reverence across the entire Church, and requiring a second miracle after beatification, making their veneration universal.
Essentially, beatification opens the door for local honor, while canonization opens it for the whole world, recognizing a saint as being in heaven with God. 

Archbishop Sheen, who was born in El Paso, Illinois, and ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 1919, was declared Venerable when Pope Benedict XVI recognized his heroic virtue on June 28, 2012. The miracle attributed to his intercession—a medically unexplained healing of a stillborn child—was approved by Pope Francis on July 6, 2019.

Bishop Tylka reflected on the enduring legacy of the beloved preacher, author, and media pioneer whose voice and witness shaped Catholic evangelization in the 20th century.

“Archbishop Fulton Sheen was one of the greatest voices of evangelization in the Church and the world. I have long admired his lifelong commitment to serve the Church as a priest, rooted in his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist. His ability to share the Gospel and truly relate to people drew countless souls into an encounter with Jesus—one that transformed not only his life, but the lives of those he touched.”

He added that Sheen’s later ministry with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith highlighted the Church’s universal mission. “He helped us recognize that the Church is meant for all people,” Bishop Tylka said. “He reminded us that we are called to serve everyone, especially those most in need and those longing to hear and experience the Gospel.”

Expressing gratitude for the collaboration and prayers that have advanced the Cause, Bishop Tylka said, “Archbishop Sheen will be a special blessing for the Church in the United States, where he was a powerful evangelist on radio, television, and in personal appearances. The Church in Peoria rejoices with all who honor this heroic bishop and leader in the Church.