By Howard Packowitz
PEORIA – The remains of the famed Archbishop Fulton Sheen of El Paso appear to be a step closer to being moved to Central Illinois from Sheen’s current resting place in New York.
An appeals court in New York voted unanimously to side with Sheen’s niece, Joan Sheen Cunningham, who wants her uncle’s remains moved to a shrine at Peoria’s St. Mary’s Cathedral.
Sheen is buried now at New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the New York Archdiocese has challenged two previous court rulings allowing for the transfer.
In a news release, the Diocese of Peoria pleaded with the New York Catholic Church to end the “legal tug-of-war.”
“It is our hope that the Archdiocese of New York will acknowledge that it is time to move on and begin to assist in advancing the Cause of
Archbishop Fulton Sheen, the Peoria Diocese said in a news release.
The Peoria Diocese, which covers McLean County, believes moving Sheen’s remains closer to home will speed-up the process to elevate him to sainthood.
“We look forward to working with the Archdiocese of New York to carry out the Court’s decision allowing Joan Sheen Cunningham to transfer the earthly remains of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. But even more we look forward to celebrating with people from all across our country and the entire world in celebrating the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, including our many friends from the Archdiocese of New York. It does not go without notice that today’s ruling comes in this 100th year anniversary of Sheen’s ordination to the priesthood at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, the very place that Joan hopes to transfer him,” the Peoria Diocese also said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
