What happened?
The Vatican has postponed the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, “at the request of a few members” of the US bishops’ conference.
Sheen was due to be beatified on December 21, but concerns were raised by the Diocese of Rochester, where Sheen was bishop from 1966 to 1969.
The diocese said that there should be “a further review of his role in priests’ assignments”, although the statement also said it was “not casting suspicion”.
What Vatican sources are saying
Catholic News Agency (CNA) noted that New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, has launched an inquiry into the Church’s handling of sexual abuse, and Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester was concerned that James might make allegations about Sheen’s handling of abusive priests.
