ROCHESTER (NY)
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle via Peoria Journal Star
December 6, 2019
By Steve Orr
The Rochester Catholic Diocese prompted a delay in the beatification of its former bishop, the Most Rev. Fulton J. Sheen, by raising questions with the Vatican about his administration of multiple priests who had been accused of misconduct.
The delay had nothing to do with any allegations of sexual abuse by Sheen himself — and nothing to do with the supposed animus that some claim the current leaders of the Rochester diocese harbor toward their late bishop.
Sheen, once a nationally known figure and Emmy-winner pioneer of radio and television evangelism, had been scheduled to be beatified by Pope Francis on Dec. 21. But the Vatican earlier this week said it was delaying the action, leading some to assert that current Rochester Bishop Salvatore Matano was behind the delay.
That assertion has some truth behind it, the diocese indicated to the Democrat and the Chronicle on Thursday: Matano and other bishops have argued that the church must investigate more fully to determine if Sheen helped cover up sexual abuse by priests in Rochester during his time here some 40 years ago.
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