Fulton J. Sheen

Archbishop Fulton John Sheen (May 8, 1895 – December 9, 1979) was television's first preacher of note, in the early 1950s on the DuMont Television Network. DuMont was searching for programming ideas and put on a series of rotating religious programs with a Protestant minister, a Jewish rabbi and a Catholic bishop. While the other shows did not catch on, the bishop (Sheen) became an overnight hit, found a sponsor in Admiral television sets, and was DuMont's only Emmy Award winner in its brief period of broadcasting. It also held the distinction of being aired on more stations than any other regularly-scheduled DuMont program.

Related Topics:
May 8 - 1895 - December 9 - 1979 - Television - 1950s - DuMont Television Network - Protestant - Jewish - Rabbi - Catholic - Bishop - Admiral - Emmy

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It has been said that, had Sheen not been a Catholic bishop, he might have been one of America's great Shakespearian actors. With his hypnotic gaze, disarming smile, and dramatic delivery, Sheen knew how to command a television audience. Airing opposite NBC's highly popular Milton Berle show on Tuesday nights, Sheen was the only person ever to give "Mr. Television" a run for his money, drawing as many as 10 million viewers.

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(Sheen and Berle enjoyed a friendly rivalry. Berle is reported to have joked, "We both work for the same boss, Sky Chief," making reference to a brand of gasoline produced by Texaco, his sponsor. Later, when Sheen won an Emmy, Berle quipped, "He's got better writers!" - and as a take-off on Berle's popular nickname with the public, Sheen once opened his program by saying, "Good evening, this is Uncle Fultie.")

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Sheen's program, called Life Is Worth Living, was highly regarded by the public. When DuMont ceased network broadcasting in 1955, Sheen moved his show to ABC, then lectured for a while, and returned to television in 1961 with The Fulton Sheen Program, essentially another version of Life is Worth Living. The show was broadcast on local stations across America until 1968, with the later programs in color. Times had changed, however, and the 1960's programs did not match the audience of his earlier years. Prior to Life is Worth Living, Sheen appeared on the radio program Catholic Hour from 1930 to 1952.

Related Topics:
Life Is Worth Living - 1955 - ABC - 1961 - Local stations - 1968 - Catholic Hour - 1930 - 1952

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Though he was known as Fulton (his mother's maiden name), he was baptized Peter John Sheen. He was educated at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and returned there to teach philosophy after his ordination in 1919. He did graduate work in Leuven, Belgium. He later became national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. He was Auxiliary Bishop of New York from 1951 to 1965, and Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969, where he created the Sheen Ecumenical Housing Foundation, which survives to this day. Upon resigning from his position in Rochester, he was appointed Archbishop of the Titular See of Newport (Wales) by Pope Paul VI.

Related Topics:
The Catholic University of America - Washington, D.C. - Philosophy - Ordination - 1919 - Society for the Propagation of the Faith - Auxiliary Bishop - New York - 1951 - 1965 - Bishop - Rochester - 1966 - 1969 - Archbishop - Titular See - Newport (Wales) - Pope Paul VI

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On October 2, 1979, two months before Sheen's death, Pope John Paul II visited St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and embraced Sheen, saying, "You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are a loyal son of the Church."

Related Topics:
October 2 - 1979 - Pope John Paul II - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City

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In 2002 Sheen's Cause for Canonization was officially opened, and so he is now referred to as a Servant of God.

Related Topics:
2002 - Cause for Canonization - Servant of God

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Reruns of Sheen's various programs continue to air, as of 2005, on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) and the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN).

Related Topics:
2005 - Eternal Word Television Network - Trinity Broadcasting Network

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