The Quotable Fulton Sheen: A Topical Compilation of the Wit, Wisdom, and Satire of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

by Fulton J. Sheen

Published to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the death of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, this scintillating collection captures the essence of one of the greatest religious leaders of our day.  Devout priest, powerful orator, and prolific writer, participant in Vatican Council II and director of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, Fulton Sheen was internationally recognized through his radio and television ministry, his scores of books and syndicated columns, and his worldwide travel.

Arranged alphabetically by topic and containing 1,300 entries on hundreds of subjects – from Absolution to Zoophilists – this comprehensive anthology exemplifies the tremendous faith, wisdom, humor, and goodness of the beloved prelate.  This compilation features a Foreward by John Cardinal O'Connor and tributes by notables as Billy Graham and Malcolm Muggeridge, and is a must for every Christian library.  Speakers, too, will find here a useful resource for that needed "right quote" or apt illustration.

The Quotable Fulton Sheen is a one-volume treasure trove for readers of all ages.

Genres: Catholic

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 27, 1989

About the author

Fulton John Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, in 1919, Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and served as a parish priest before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966 when he was made bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York. He resigned as bishop of Rochester in 1969 as his 75th birthday approached and was made archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".

Reviews

[Rico · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best part of this book is pointing me towards which of Sheen's other books I should read next.

[TheRose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ordinarily, my ratings of Bishop Fulton Sheen material is much higher. This one was difficult, because although the quotes themselves were perfect, it was a terrible book to try to read through. It's one of those things that must be used as a reference only - if you need a great quote for a particular subject it will provide it.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick anecdotes with the Bishop's usual wit and wisdom.