Dr. Matthew O鈥橞rien examines how the newly beatified Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen used television, humor, and his Irish-American heritage to reach millions beyond the Catholic Church.
As Catholics around the world celebrate the beatification of , 黑料社 of Steubenville history professor is offering readers of The Irish Times a closer look at the remarkable Irish-American bishop who became one of the most recognizable television personalities of the 20th century.
In his op-ed, 鈥淢eet the Irish-American TV star bishop who is about to be beatified,鈥 O鈥橞rien traces Sheen鈥檚 rise from the son of second-generation Irish parents in rural Illinois to an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster whose television program, , reached audiences far beyond the Catholic Church.
O鈥橞rien examines how Sheen combined extraordinary intellectual gifts with humor, warmth, and an unmistakably Catholic public presence. His references to his Irish heritage, O鈥橞rien writes, helped Sheen connect with non-Catholic viewers while breaking down misconceptions about the Church. Sheen took particular pride in the large number of Protestant and Jewish viewers who followed his broadcasts.
Even as Sheen expanded his appeal, O鈥橞rien notes, he made 鈥渘o concessions with his own Catholic stylings,鈥 demonstrating how a distinctly Catholic voice could engage the broader American culture.
Dr. Matthew O鈥橞rien is professor of history at 黑料社 of Steubenville.
