Fulton Sheen on road to sainthood + video

Pope Francis on Saturday approved a miracle attributed to the Venerable Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Known for his preaching, especially on television and radio, the Titular Archbishop of Newport and former Bishop of Rochester was born to an Irish family in El Paso, Illinois, on 8 May 1895. He discovered his call to the priesthood at the age of 24 and was ordained a priest in 1919. He pursued higher studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Fr Sheen returned to the US in 1926 and began teaching at the Catholic University of America until 1950.

A gifted teacher and speaker, Sheen's homilies were very popular. In 1930, he began participating in the Sunday radio programme entitled 'The Catholic Hour', which reached an estimated four million listeners.

In 1951, he began hosting a weekly television series, 'Life is Worth Living', on matters of faith that attracted some 30 million viewers.

He died in New York at the age of 84, on 9 December 1979.

With the recognition of a miracle through his intercession, Archbishop Sheen has now been cleared for beatification, following which he will have the title, Blessed.

Watch Archbishop Fulton Sheen preaching in 1957: 'Nice People' - www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAW2I0pTlsw

Pope Francis also approved the enrolment in the catalogue of Saints (equivalent to canonization) of Blessed Bartholomew of the Martyrs (born Bartholomew Fernandes), the Dominican Archbishop of Braga, Portugal. Born in Lisbon (Portugal) on 3 May 1514 and died in Viana do Castelo (Portugal) on 16 July 1590.

And Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of decrees on the heroic virtues of the following woman and six men from six different countries:

- The heroic virtues of the Lebanese Servant of God Elias Hoyek, Patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites, Founder of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family. He was born in Helta (Lebanon) on 4 December 1843 and died in Bkerké (Lebanon) on 24 December 1931.

- The heroic virtues of the Italian Servant of God Giovanni Vittorio Ferro, of the Order of the Clerics Regular of Somasca, Archbishop of Reggio Calabria-Bova. He was born in Costigliole d'Asti (Italy) on 13 November 1901 and died in Reggio Calabria (Italy) on 18 April 1992.

- the heroic virtues of the Spanish Servant of God Angel Riesco Carbajo, titular Bishop of Limisa, Auxiliary Bishop of Tudela, founder of the Institute of the Missionaries of Charity. He was born in Bercianos de Vidriales (Spain) on 9 July 1902 and died in La Bañeza (Spain) on 2 July 1972.

- The heroic virtues of the Polish Servant of God Władysław Korniłowicz, a diocesan priest. Born in Warsaw (Poland) on August 5, 1884, and died in Laski (Poland) on September 26, 1946.

- The heroic virtues of the Italian Servant of God Angelico Lipani (born Vincenzo), a professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, founder of the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Lord. He was born in Caltanissetta (Italy) on 28 December 1842 and died there on 9 July 1920.

- The heroic virtues of the Servant of God Francisca of the Holy Spirit (born: Francisca de Fuentes), Foundress of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Saint Catherine of Siena. She was born in Intramuros (Philippines) in 1647 and died in Manila (Philippines) on 24 August 1711.

- The heroic virtues of the Servant of God Étienne Pierre Morlanne, layman, founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Maternal Charity. He was born in Metz (France) on May 22, 1772, and died there on January 7, 1862.