Pope Francis approves Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s miracle

Posted on July 6, 2019
Bishop Sheen
The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen of El Paso. (File photo credit: YouTube)

By WMBD and Blake Haas

PEORIA – Catholic Diocese of Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky announced Sunday that Pope Francis formally approved the miracle attributed to Central Illinois native, Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Sheen was a native of El Paso and was ordained at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria in 1919. After his death, he was buried in New York. After a lengthy legal battle, his remains were brought to St. Mary’s, where he was entombed late last month.

The miracle in question happened in 2010, when an infant was born showing no signs of life. The child had no vital signs for more than an hour. Family and friends asked Sheen to intercede for the baby as medical experts continued to provide treatment. Moments before the doctor was to declare the baby dead, he had a heartbeat and began breathing.

In 2011, the Diocese of Peoria investigated the event and determined a miracle had occurred. Researchers presented their findings to the Vatican’s Congregation of the Causes of Saints, and the case was eventually passed along to the Pope.

The Diocese is now planning for Sheen’s Beatification, which would take place in Peoria. Bishop Jenky hopes the celebration can take place in 2019, which marks 100 years since Sheen was ordained.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected]. 

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