The timeless tales of King Arthur by British author T.H. White are compiled in works like Once and Future King. This reflects Arthur’s enduring legacy as a warrior. Similarly, American Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) resonates with today’s audience, reminding us that civilization is indeed worth defending.
During the mid-20th century, Sheen stood as the most recognized Catholic priest in America. He was a formidable presence on radio, in newspapers, and on television, where he outshone competitors like Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra, garnering numerous accolades and reaching an audience of around 30 million viewers. His influence extended through countless sermons and speeches, making him ubiquitous. By 1956, Gallup showcased that he was the third most respected American figure.
Even decades after his passing, Sheen’s legacy lives on. Reports suggest that he is on the verge of being officially beatified by the Catholic Church, nearing the status of canonization and sainthood. This upcoming recognition could lead to documented miracles attributed to him, as the Vatican’s Congregation for Saints deliberates, possibly welcoming him among the ranks of saints.
His influence during the Cold War was pivotal, making him compelling even to those outside the Catholic faith. The struggle between the free world and Soviet communism, termed by John F. Kennedy as a “long twilight battle,” stretched from the 1940s to the 1990s. As Ronald Reagan framed it, communism was an “evil empire.”
Sure, good ultimately triumphed, but as Reagan noted, “There are no final victories.”
Now, some say we’re teetering on the edge of a “Second Cold War,” not with Moscow but with a different kind of Russian threat, one that some have likened to a fifth column. These influences can sometimes disguise themselves as “democratic socialism,” but, maybe, we shouldn’t be deceived. In places like New York City, Mayor Zoran Mamdani seems poised to embrace chaos, using it to advance his agenda which includes dismantling the police budget. This could lead to a greater push for seizing private property and implementing collectivist measures.
Throughout his life, Sheen witnessed the worst of times. As early as 1936, amidst Stalin’s efforts to dominate Spain, he published educational materials addressing the crisis.
Q: Who was the first person in Christian history to deploy united front tactics?
A: Judas, who betrayed the Lord with a kiss.
His Christian faith propelled him to call for action. Fully committed to the Catholic faith, he supported a centrist approach to reforms inspired by Pope Leo XIII.
Sheen’s voice was robust, and his message resonated widely. His physical appearance even drew comparisons with Hollywood star Tyrone Power.
He utilized his platform effectively. In his 2001 biography, American Bishops: The Life and Times of Fulton J. Sheen, Thomas C. Reeves noted how Sheen frequently stirred the pot with his bold stances on various issues, including communism, socialism, the Spanish Civil War, and more.
Sheen wasn’t shy about positioning himself firmly within religious narratives. He expressed disdain for the liberalism espoused by the National Council of Churches, asserting, “Satan’s final attack was an attempt to secularize religion.” Today, however, that organization has distanced itself from that secularism.
Sheen’s skills were crucial in tackling the dilemmas of his era. Scholars point out that, according to the Black Book of Communism, some 100 million lives were extinguished due to totalitarian regimes in the 20th century.
In Eastern Europe, the Catholic Church stood firm against the atheistic Bolshevism, with many priests and ordinary believers suffering as a consequence. In Poland alone, thousands faced execution or imprisonment, showcasing the church’s significant role.
It’s almost poetic that in the late 1970s, figures like Pope John Paul II and the Gdańsk dockworkers led by Lech Walesa spearheaded the movement for liberty, including religious freedom. Their efforts culminated in 1989, leading to Poland’s current state of prosperity.
Sheen played a crucial role in this success, yet popular narratives seem to overlook him. As Reeves observed, “The celebration of religious certainty that characterized Sheen may have led to his recent obscurity among historians.” His Catholic perspective, while nuanced, doesn’t fit neatly into today’s political discourse.
Sheen unequivocally condemned the Soviet Union as “the most anti-Christian state on earth,” likening its central temple to “a decaying corpse,” symbolizing the inevitable decay communism brings.
All of this is undeniably valid, and during the early 1950s, he frequently addressed patriotic gatherings, pointing out the challenges posed by communism.
Reeves aptly noted that Sheen’s fierce anti-communism may make him less appealing to modern thinkers.
In recent years, there’s been a shift in attitudes, with some liberal commentators becoming more sympathetic to leftist ideologies. The narrative has shifted blame away from communism, and towards the shortcomings of early liberals.
Contrastingly, Sheen remained steadfast in his beliefs. He characterized communism as a “diabolical system.” Even at a 1949 meeting, amidst prominent political figures, he boldly denounced Marxism as “the dying gasp of an old age.”
Sheen embodied an optimism that echoed leaders like Pope John Paul, Reagan, and Walesa, all of whom believed Moscow-style communism could be overcome.
Now, as Sheen’s beatification approaches, we should remember the lessons from the horrors of communism. We face the necessity for voices of resistance today—people who can champion the values Sheen once did, whether in uniform, in media, or elsewhere.
Contemporary manifestations of communism differ. Today, they might present as woke ideologies or various forms of activism that attack tradition and faith. The stakes, however, remain high and echo the challenges Sheen faced.
One figure today speaking against such threats is Bishop Robert Barron of Rochester, Minnesota. He’s stepping up to challenge forces like AOC and others on the far left.
As conservative commentator Chad Pecknold noted, one must look back to Sheen to find any American Catholic bishop boldly addressing Marxist materialism.
There’s strong support for such initiatives. Yet, the greatest challenge looms ahead; the left is consolidating power with the aid of AI technologies.
As we gear up for this impending confrontation, a courageous force advocating for goodness is essential. We can find inspiration from the past to help guide our future.
