Of Venerable Fulton, and Bodies

I’ve been praying all day about what to write today. My day started early with a radio segment on the Sonrise Morning Show where host extraordinaire Matt Swaim and I had a scintillating conversation about the iPhone-Jennifer-Lawrence-nude-photo-icloudgate situation. We agreed to skip beyond talking about why women would choose to photograph themselves au naturel and to instead focus on how you and I “feed the beast” when we choose to click on such content in the blogsphere or in social media. If no one looked at the photos, maybe celebrities’ privacy would stop being invaded…

I wondered, as we were speaking, what the very outspoken and media savvy Venerable Fulton Sheen might have said on the topic.

I hung up with Matt and made the very wise choice to head to Mass and to the gym. At Mass, my wonderful pastor’s remarks on Luke 5:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 echoed some of the wisdom that I’d read from Pope Francis’ homily for today:

Paul – he said – is telling us that it is the power of God’s Word that brings about a true change of heart, that has the strength to change the world, giving us hope, giving us life.

He pointed out that this power is not to be found in human knowledge or in man’s intelligence. “Become fools” – Francis exhorted – don’t search for security in your knowledge or in the knowledge of the world”.

Don’t search for security in knowledge of the world.

This was helpful to me, because I’d been searching for some knowledge for several hours. Ever since I read the announcement from the Diocese of Peoria on the suspension of the cause for Canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen yesterday, I’ve been literally reeling. When this type of emotion happens, I’ve come to the conclusion that blogging immediately is not the best policy. My words, written in the heat of feelings, will not contribute anything beneficial to a conversation. And even if they might make me temporarily “feel better”, in the long run I will experience remorse. Great remorse.

So I withstood the temptation to go to my keyboard and instead said some prayers through the intercession of Venerable Sheen for all of those involved in this process. And I prayed for those very close to the cause — I don’t need to name them here. They know who they are. They are the ones who have given heart and soul for several years to the canonization efforts. Not for glory of their own, but because they firmly believe in the sanctity of this man, this member of the Communion of Saints, and all he taught us. And continues to teach us.

So I’ve decided not to say more than this. I want to point you to my very wise editor Elizabeth Scalia for a beautiful post of hers that gives both the details of the situation and some true wisdom on how we can best help. For additional insight from someone who feels the way I do about Venerable Fulton and is actually composed enough to write eloquently about this man’s legacy, take a look at what Brandon Vogt has to say.

I won’t pretend to understand what is happening behind the scenes in this situation or to know in any way how it will be resolved. Along with praying for a remedy to the circumstances that have forced the cause for canonization into a holding pattern and that will bring peace and forward motion, I’m honestly praying that this temporary struggle will not harm the faith of anyone who feels confused by the situation. While we who play “inside baseball” may understand the concepts of causes, and relics and this whole process, our non-Catholic friends (and some of the Catholic ones too) will watch and ask questions. I fear that if we cast stones, express frustration, or spread half-truths (because maybe we don’t know the full truth), we will have missed an opportunity to spread the faith with love.

Venerable Sheen is quoted as having said:

“There are not more than 100 people in the world who truly hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they perceive to be the Catholic Church.  ….As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.” 

Today, let’s not add to those millions who hate what they perceive.

Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.
If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Imprimatur: +Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., Bishop of Peoria