The mother who prayed for the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen when her son was born still-born has expressed her sadness and confusion following the news that his Cause for canonisation has been stalled. Bonnie Engstrom told the Catholic Herald: "We are very disappointed that the cause to canonise Venerable Fulton Sheen had to be closed, especially because it had been progressing so well. We are incredibly saddened and confused by the Archdiocese of New York's decision to not cooperate with the Sheen Foundation on the cause. We trust in the goodness of God." The Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, announced yesterday that the highly publicised Cause for the sainthood of an American archbishop had been halted indefinitely. Although the beatification of the televangelist Archbishop Fulton Sheen was expected as early as next year, the Diocese said in their statement that the process had been suspended indefinitely following discussions with the Vatican. The statement read: "The process to verify a possible miracle attributed to Sheen had been going extremely well, and only awaited a vote of the Cardinals and the approval of the Holy Father. There was every indication that a possible date for beatification in Peoria would have been scheduled for as early as the coming year. "The Holy See expected that the remains of Venerable Sheen would be moved to Peoria where official inspection would be made and first class relics be taken. Subsequently, the Archdiocese of New York denied Bishop Jenky’s request to move the body to Peoria. After further discussion with Rome, it was decided that the Sheen Cause would now have to be relegated to the Congregation’s historic archive." Archbishop Sheen's Cause excelled after doctors failed to explain how a still born baby boy came back to life after his mother prayed to the archbishop, who died in 1979. The full statement from the Diocese of Peroria is below:
12:38 PM
Mother who prayed to Fulton Sheen speaks of 'confusion and sadness' after Cause is suspended
The Diocese of Peroria has announced that the archbishop's Cause has been suspended indefinitely
Madeleine Teahan

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