America's Bishop: The Life and Times of Fulton J. Sheen

by Thomas C. Reeves

Among Fulton J. Sheen's thousands of converts were celebrities such as Clare Booth Luce and Henry Ford II, and former communists Louis Budenz and Elizabeth Bentley. Reeves discusses these conversions and Sheen's close friendship with J. Edgar Hoover, and details for the first time the struggle between Sheen and his chief rival, Francis Cardinal Spellman, a battle of ecclesiastical titans that led all the way to the Pope and to Sheen's final humiliation and exile.

Genres: Biography, Catholic, History

463 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

A specialist in late 19th and 20th century American history, Thomas C. Reeves received his B.A. at Pacific Lutheran University, his M.A. at the University of Washington, and his Ph.D. in history at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1966. After four years at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, he went on to become a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, where he taught until his retirement in 2001.

Reviews

[Judgemental Toast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well... the book was thorough that's for sure... I am a bit surprised at how progressive Bp. Sheen was. I am hoping in his autobiography at the end of his life, he clears up a few things.
For all his excellent points, Sheen was a proponent of Vatican II, ecumenism, and was even quoted to have said that he thought the Church would have women deacons one day. Considering his staunch beliefs in the Faith, however, I can only assume that he changed some of his ideas later on in life. Like Mother Angelica, who went through a time of her life when she went wild for Vatican II stuff and made many changes, but still stayed faithful to Rome. Until she saw a disgusting display at World Youth Day of a woman mime portraying Jesus in the Stations of the Cross. She then gave her famous, and epic speech "I am sick of you Liberal Church" and changed all the modern things back that she had once "updated". I'm seeing a very scary theme of, even potential saints becoming enamored with the evil "Spirit of Vatican II" while still believing that they were totally faithful to the Church. Thankfully the ones I've read about turned back to tradition after seeing the horror that ensued after Vatican II. But I suppose this shows that, "but for the grace of God, there go I!". If even saints were hoodwinked when it came to the evils of Vatican II, I would be long gone in the wrong direction!
All in all, this book has an enormous list of footnotes and tons of deep information. I really admire the work the author put into it, even if I disagreed with some of his ideas / leanings.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago; somebody started a smear campaign in the Vatican or maybe just the USCCB council, on the Eve of the beatification of Fulton Sheen, alleging improprieties. That sparked my curiosity. My mother adored the sartorial splendor of Sheen in his cassocked attire, his chalkboard with cartoon angels (I assume devils too), and his knack on live television in the 1950s to stop his presentation at the exact moment the show concluded. I was raised in the very first year that first-graders would have entered parochial school.(or CCD) after the close of Vatican Ii. What my contemporary Bishop Robert Barron calls the "beige and banners" of felt, the balloon, hippies adjacent version of what's replaced the traditional Latin Mass. Reeves' account as the earlier reviewer notes did fall for the hype of the Council, but even astute colleagues Marcel Lefebvre or Joseph Ratzinger were among episcopal leaders in hindsight misled early on, as recent conservative Church historians have documented, by the Bugnini-led subversive cabal bent on using prevarication to get its way in undermining their cautious peers, lay and clerical.

Stepping back, we see the rise of Midwestern Sheen. What's likely overlooked was the depth of his acumen regarding theology. This of course was overshadowed by his penchant for performance as mid-century America's celebrity Catholic preacher. Read the fiction of fellow Illinois heartlander J.F. Powers to conjure up the postwar apogee of what he called an institution 'second only to Standard Oil,' an era that lasted briefly. Reeves is good on documenting the many good deeds done by Sheen out of the camera's range, and the difficulty he faced when appointed to head the diocese of Rochester in the giddy wake of Vatican II. You can almost see its seminary emptying as if in quick-frame film special effects. Reeves carefully avoids any untoward speculation about his subject, while his research conveys the spirit of this go-getter, ambitious, anti-communist, Render unto Caesar time, when, hard to fathom for those of us who were raised in the Council's aftermath, the Church enjoyed dominance over the temporal realm of American respect. I recommend this study for its fair-minded thoroughness, and learning worn lightly--a welcome touch when too many academics indulge in jargon, score-settling, and catering to the whims of passing political cant and social fads.

Rarely do I grant five-star ratings, but I confess that I couldn't find any aspect of Reeves' results which weakened my respect for his endeavor.

I can't leave without recalling along with Sheen's generosity and common touch, which one might not associate with his regal bearing when.on display, that Reeves testifies that Sheen pretty much stayed hale and hearty for many decades filled with an enormous amount of activity, contemplation, writing, and public obligations, despite or thanks to a diet consisting not of meals, but snacks of ice cream, candy, and cookies.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MASTERFUL BIOGRAPHY OF THE "LIFE IS WORTH LIVING" STAR
Archbishop Fulton John Sheen (1895-1979) was known for his 1951-1968 television programs (particularly "Life is Worth Living"), as well as his earlier work on radio, and his many books. Biographer Thomas C. Reeves has also written books such as 'A Question of Character: A Life of John F. Kennedy,' etc.

He wrote in the Introduction to this 2001 book, "Sheen had a few secrets, and his ambition, vanity, and luxurious lifestyle embarrassed him in his old age, yet there were few among the Church's intellectuals who tried harder to be a model for others. He was ever the defender of the Catholic faith... Sheen will always be remembered as a man who helped set the tone of the 1950s... Sheen's staunch anticommunism undoubtedly also contributes to his lack of appeal for many modern intellectuals." (Pg. 6-7)

Reeves notes that "In 1967, he fell under attack from the right for publicly opposing the Vietnam War. He was the first American bishop to attempt to implement in a diocese the full teachings of the Second Vatican Council, prompting severe criticism from conservatives and radicals alike." (Pg. 6)

Reeves records of Sheen's time as a university teacher, "he did something, perhaps with great reluctance, that was highly uncharacteristic, and shocking to anyone who knew him---something that would become his darkest secret. Fulton invented a second doctorate for himself... a device undoubtedly designed to enhance his reputation as a scholar and elevate him from the lowest depths of the campus status system, [which] would remain a secret until twenty years after his death." (Pg. 66-68)

After having a portion of his intestine removed while in seminary, "Sheen ate little, often living for days at a time on cookies, candy (he especially loved chocolates) or ice cream bars." (Pg. 35) He notes, "Despite the adulation of millions, the frenzied trips, the ceaseless activity, the countless invitations to dinners, parties and rallies, there was in Fulton Sheen a quiet loneliness that may well account for his desire to have [his niece] Joan (and later a second niece) with him. He had no intimate friends..." (Pg. 113)

He observes, "In October 1957, Sheen 'retired' from television... Insiders heard the rumors that Cardinal [Joseph] Spellman had forced Sheen off the air, which seems certain..." (Pg. 255) He adds, "On October 26, 1966, Pope Paul VI officially named Fulton Sheen bishop of Rochester, New York. It was shocking... Sheen was seventy-one and lacked parish and administrative experience. He was now to leave the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, where he had been a striking success... [Sheen] and a handful of others knew that Cardinal Spellman had ended the more than ten years of intense personal struggle by finally banishing his famous adversary from the Archdiocese of New York. Rochester was the revenge that Spellman had promised all those years ago." (Pg. 286) Ultimately, "he was made the titular archbishop of Newport, on the Isle of Wright... He was later made assistant at the Pontifical Throne." (Pg. 325)

When being interviewed on the David Frost show in 1969, Sheen admitted that a married couple who did not want more children could use birth control, stating, "Believe me, this is a question of anguish." Reeves states, "This was the only recorded instance in which Sheen modified his view of 'Humanae Vitae.' The response also marks one of the extremely rare times in his life that Sheen took a position openly at odds with Catholic teaching." (Pg. 338)

This fascinating and insightful biography makes an essential supplement to Sheen's own 'Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen', for anyone wanting to know more about this key Catholic and religious figure of the 1950s and later.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fellow Bishop once described Bishop Sheen as a combination of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Francis of Assisi. Having read Reeves's insightful and balanced biography of this extraordinary man, I very much agree. However, it is not a complete description. Like St. Thomas, Bishop Sheen was a prodigious intellect, a spellbinding homilist and an inexhaustible advocate for the Church and the Gospel. His many books, sermons, radio talks and television appearances did more to spread the Christian faith and elevate the profile of the Catholic Church in the 20th century than any other priest of his times. His converts to Christianity number in the thousands. And, like St. Francis, he was possessed of a preternatural charity, giving away to the needy all his possessions. By one estimate, the millions of dollars he made from his many books, TV series (the extremely popular "Life Is Worth Living") and other appearances were all given away, especially to the foreign missions, which he oversaw as Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for decades. Yet, Bishop Sheen, like most of us, had his vices as well. He himself admitted that he was, at times, vain, ambitious, materialistic, stubborn and arrogant. I daresay these vices contributed to his rupture with New York's powerful and (in Bishop Sheen's case) vindictive Cardinal Spellman, a wound Bishop Sheen always regretted but never healed. Nonetheless, in light of Reeves's expansive account of Bishop Sheen's life, I reckon that, for all his vast accomplishments, Bishop Sheen would most want to be remembered for his encounter with a deeply disturbed, ranting woman on a Good Friday afternoon in St. Patrick's Cathedral who told Bishop Sheen she had come to the service to steal purses from the congregants. After Bishop Sheen talked with her, the woman made her confession and became a daily communicant for many years. When Bishop Sheen discovered that the woman was unable to work, he personally supported her for about twenty years until her death. St. Thomas and St. Francis would indeed be proud.

[Fr. Dave Tomaszycki · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The" biography of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

I am not at all pleased that Reeves accuses Sheen of making up a third doctorate. I lived and studied in Rome for five years. In 2017, one of my good buddies wrapped up his STL six months early. His advisor advised him to start his doctorate. My buddy got his doctorate without any additional time in Rome. Hence, on paper, it looks like my buddy got his STB, then his STL, and then a doctorate appeared out of nowhere. That was Rome in 2017. I'm sure it was much easier for things to get lost or missed in the 1920's when Sheen was there.

Other than that, this was a good read.

[Theresa Stiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Reeves and an excellent historian and biographer. He fills in the historical context while telling us about the Life of this very dynamic personality! His research on Bishop Sheed is through and presented in an unbiased manner. His writing style is very readable while while remaining intelligent. I strongly recommend this biography.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressed by Reeves' account of Venerable Sheen's life. Quite revealing about what pushed him to be one of the great evangelizers of the 20th century. The historical context also helped a lot to understand what the protagonist had to live through. Excellent read!

[Eveline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure for those who want to read a well researched and a document-backed account on Fulton Sheen's life. Hats off to the author for bringing this up. God bless you and keep you Thomas C. Reeves.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best biography on a figure too often forgotten outside of American Catholicism. Now up for canonization, Sheen is the single most important American Catholic orator of the 20th Century, and the author provides a superb narrative, although he sometimes defends Sheen more than Sheen might deserve. The story he tells, however, is fascinating. Sheen is an increasingly rare individual in his desire to become not just a priest but a bishop. The man excels in nearly every capacity except one most common to Catholic clergy--pastoral work. As a result of his hard work and excellent networking, Sheen receives a position in the Propagation committee, where he can put his intellectual and rhetorical abilities to work and can forgo what he saw as tedious pastoral care.

During his continuing promotions, Sheen becomes one of the first radio and television personalities, along with Rev. Billy Graham. Sheen's higher intellectual tone and more direct statements protesting the spread of communism enhanced the drama of Sheen's presentation, while Graham's home-spun, Holiness movement evangelism was more reassuring. What is most impressive for Sheen is how his more difficult appearances managed not to alienate non-Catholics, even as he wore the full regalia of a bishop and stood before a figure of Mary with Child, which he named "Our Lady of Television."

If you don't care to read the book, watch an episode of "Life Is Worth Living" on Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), the Catholic Church's television station. They air his 1953-1957 (or thereabouts) episodes on Friday night. You will not be disappointed.

[Ralph Wechuli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The (Archi)bishop who fought for Christ all the days of his life.
But the cross he had to carry was really huge; especially the not so good relation he had with Archibishop Francis Cardinal Spellman.
Not so good ending with disappearance of most of his staff from the poorly maintained archive.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard so much about Bishop Sheen, and I vaguely remember him as a kid, but I wanted to know who this man really was. My dear friend loaned me her copy, and told me to enjoy. I certainly did. This is a great look into the early and mid part of the 20th century, with a focus on the Catholic Church, but more specifically, this very human and holy man. The author used a lot of references, primary sources, and interviews, and I believe wanted this to be the definitive record of Bishop Sheen's life and legacy. From these pages, I believe he was a true servant of God. Yes, he had human foibles, but he was generous, devout, and changed a lot of peoples' lives for the better, and always was a champion of Jesus, Our Blessed Mother, and the Catholic Church.

[Joseph Hanneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the greatest Catholic communicator of the 20th century. I was surprised to find that this was the first complete biography on Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Historian Thomas C. Reeves does not disappoint. The book gives deep insights into the man whose cause for sainthood is being considered at the Vatican. Pick up this book, and then get yourself audio CDs or MP3s of Sheen's radio talks and conferences. Very powerful.

[Patrick O'Hannigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid, well-researched biography that would have been better if Thomas Reeves had quoted Bishop Sheen more often, and covered Sheen's later life with the same enthusiasm that he shows for the telegenic priest's early academic triumphs.

I originally reviewed the book for a Catholic publication called New Oxford Review.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The author tried very hard to only present facts without displaying too much love of the bishop. It was great to have the life of Sheen alongside with current events that were going on to better understand his actions and where he was coming from. Most excellent book!

[Roberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written readable biography about a great American Catholic whose life and work is fading from the public consciousness. I hope more mainstream historians and biographers will undertake Archbishop Sheen as a subject!