Sheen, Fulton John (1895-1979), became one of the best-known spokesmen for the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in the world. His more than 50 books, along with his articles, brought Catholic doctrine to millions of people around the world.
In 1950, he resigned as professor at the Catholic University of America to direct the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the United States. This is an international mission aid society which raises and distributes money for the support of Roman Catholic missionaries throughout the world. In 1966, Sheen was named the bishop of the diocese of Rochester, New York, by Pope Paul VI. He resigned from that position in 1969.
Sheen was a vigorous opponent of Communism in his writings and in his radio talks on “The Catholic Hour,” a national program begun in 1930. During the 1950’s, he became widely known as a television personality for his “Life Is Worth Living” series.
Sheen was born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, and attended St. Viator College and St. Paul Seminary. After his ordination in 1919, he studied philosophy at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. In 1926, he began teaching at the Catholic University of America. That year, Sheen also completed his first book, God and Intelligence in Modern Philosophy. He died on Dec. 9, 1979.
