Two of Fulton Sheen’s nieces to participate in beatification events in September

Fulton Sheen was the oldest of four boys born to Newton and Delia Sheen in Illinois. One sibling, Joseph, died of a heart attack in 1955, while the other two died in the 1970s shortly before Fulton Sheen’s death.

Two of the family participants in the beatification events are Karen Sullivan, Joseph’s daughter, and Delores Sheen, who was married to Joseph’s son, John.

Karen Sullivan of Greenwich, Connecticut, and her brother, Bob Sheen, are planning on attending the beatification Mass. Karen remembered her uncle as “a man in a black suit who had a great sense of humor. This might surprise people, as he often seemed so serious when he was speaking publicly.”

She recalled Sheen’s “extreme” generosity. She said, “If you’d visit his apartment and commented on how you liked something, it was yours. He’d give it to you.”

She noted that his media appearances and publications generated a significant income throughout his life, and he was often the recipient of gifts, but he’d typically donate his wealth to the missions.

The family was devastated when Joseph died of a heart attack when Karen was just age 10: “My uncle tried to be so comforting and embrace our family in this time of need.”

Karen’s older sister, Joan Sheen Cunningham (1927-2022), moved to New York City, and Sheen became a “second father” to her, as related in her book My Uncle Fulton Sheen (Ignatius Press, 2020). Karen remembers how Sheen arranged for a car and driver for her to tour prospective schools as she was preparing for college. Karen remembers spending holidays with Sheen and his participation in special events, including officiating at her 1965 wedding.

Karen is excited to be part of Sheen’s beatification ceremony and is “amazed to see so many people are coming to discover his life and teachings.” Her only regret is that her sister Joan is no longer alive to witness it. She noted, “My uncle was a wonderful man, so holy, with many sides to him.” And, referencing his opposition to communism, she added, “He stood up for what is right; it meant a lot to people of that time.”

Delores Sheen married her husband, John, in 1968. The couple lived in Peoria, and Archbishop Sheen would stay with them during his periodic trips home to see family. Delores and her family, in turn, would visit Archbishop Sheen when visiting New York.

Among Delores’ favorite memories of the Archbishop is celebrating his 80th birthday at her home in 1975. On one visit, she saw photographs from the celebration at the Sheen museum and exclaimed, “That’s my house!”

Delores also remembered the Archbishop taking her family to the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, one of New York City’s popular restaurants. Her young daughter ordered a hamburger, but Sheen encouraged her instead, “No, Mary, try the steak!”

Yet the archbishop’s personal tastes were typically more modest, Delores recalled. When it was time to drive him to the airport to return to New York and she offered to pack him a meal, “He said to make him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, that’s what he liked.”

The Archbishop also had an interest in psychiatry, she recalled, and unlike many of the time, believed it could be compatible with Catholic belief. Delores’ husband, John, was a psychiatrist, and he and Sheen organized a “Catholicism and psychiatry” workshop.

Delores and members of her immediate family were interviewed by Church officials as part of the beatification process. She spoke in glowing terms about the character of her uncle Archbishop, and said the family was excited about the upcoming beatification, believing it was “long overdue.”

She plans to participate in some of the beatification events. She recalled, “He was a down-to-earth, holy man who loved the Lord.”