The family of Archbishop Fulton Sheen has won another legal battle in their efforts to get the El Paso native’s remains brought to Central Illinois.
New York’s highest court, the State Court of Appeals, has dismissed the Archdiocese of New York’s latest appeal in a case that has been tied up in the courts for three years.
The Catholic Diocese of Peoria issued a statement calling on the Archdiocese of New York to “end its litigious endeavors and to cooperate with the efforts of the Sheen family.”
“Although the New York Archdiocese may technically have legal options remaining, they are contrary to the wishes of Archbishop Sheen and his family, and would serve no genuine purpose except to delay the eventual transfer of Archbishop Sheen’s remains,” the statement said.
The Diocese of Peoria said seeking to move Sheen’s remain to Central Illinois would enable to church to celebrate his beatification in the 100th anniversary of his priesthood and bring him one step closer to sainthood.
Sheen was ordained as a priest in 1919. He became a pioneer of TV evangelism through his popular program “Life Is Worth Living.” His hometown opened a spiritual center and museum in his honor.
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