On September 29, 2003, the Cause took a great step forward in Peoria, Illinois. Bishop Daniel Jenky, CSC, the Bishop of Peoria, who is the bishop sponsoring the Cause, officially opened the Diocesan Tribunal of Inquiry into the life and the virtues of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. This opening ceremony took place in the context of a special Evening Prayer Service in St. Peter’s Church in the city of Peoria. It was attended by many local clergy, religious and lay people as well as members of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation.

A Diocesan Tribunal of Inquiry is one of the most important parts of the whole Beatification and Canonization process. Through the Inquiry, witnesses will offer their testimony in regard to the personal life and holiness of Archbishop Sheen. The Inquiry must even receive the testimony of people who may be unfavorable to the Canonization of the late Archbishop. In this way, the Church strives to get the fullest picture of the candidate proposed for future sainthood.

During the ceremony, beginning with Bishop Jenky himself, those who are going to actively participate in the Diocesan Tribunal of Inquiry took oaths of truthfulness and secrecy (confidentiality regarding the material that will be gathered).

Notable among those who took oaths that day were Msgr. Richard Soseman, now the Episcopal Delegate who acts on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop in all things regarding the Cause. This means he takes the place of Bishop Jenky as Judge for the Canonization process when the Bishop himself cannot be present. In addition, Msgr. J. Brian Rejsek will be the Promoter of Justice, whose responsibility will be to see that all norms and proper procedures according to Canon Law are carried out. Other persons who took their oaths now belong to the Theological Commission, or the Historical Commission, or serve as official Notaries and Recorders. The members of the Theological Commission are experts in Theology who will review the published writings of Archbishop Sheen to see that they do not contain anything contrary to faith or morals. The Historical Commission consists of experts in historical and archival matters who will gather and review all of the unpublished writings of the Servant of God as well as all documents pertinent to the Cause. Notaries are those who transcribe faithfully the testimonies given by the witnesses and guarantee their truthfulness. Recorders are typists who faithfully record and prepare the testimonies for notarization.

In addition to the above members of the Diocesan Tribunal, Dr. Andrea Ambrosi was sworn in as the Roman Postulator heading up the work of the Cause, replacing Fr. Andrew Apostoli, CFR, who had been Postulator, and who will now serve as a Vice-Postulator in the work of the Cause. Please keep the work of the Diocesan Tribunal daily in your prayers.

Sheen Cause Advances
The Diocesan Phase of the Inquiry into the Life and Works of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Comes to a Close
Sheen Cause Opens in Rome; Fr. Deptula to Direct Foundation
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