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 Michael Medved

A T.V. Saint

July 9, 2012 @ 4:14 pm

When a popular TV star stands on the verge of sainthood, it should encourage all of us who work in media to take our jobs more seriously.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, who died in 1979, hosted the most popular religious program ever broadcast in network prime time. "Life is Worth Living" featured Sheen addressing a live audience without script or notes, and from 1951 to 1957 the show competed directly, and surprisingly successfully, against entertainment giants like Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra.

When Bishop Sheen won his first of two Emmies, he thanked "my four writers—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John." Because of well-documented, miraculous cures associated with prayers to Bishop Sheen’s memory, the Vatican last month declared him a "Venerable Servant of God"--the final step before sainthood. Such recognition should inspire a TV industry not known today for saintly content.

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Comments (5)


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  • rational wrote...
    doesn't sit well...
    July 9, 2012 6:05 pm
    Seems to me the bible refers to all believers as saints. And any miracles should be attributed to God, not man.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    And if God uses men and women to make His will more understandable ?
    July 9, 2012 6:21 pm
    In life, Bishop Sheen would have been the last to accredit himself with miracles. If some chose to believe in his intervention, and that brings them peace, why not?

    But, yes, if we are all saints, then any saint in Heaven should be of help - not just those sanctioned. And because with God all things are possible.........

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  • rational wrote...
    ron prevost
    July 9, 2012 7:00 pm
    God absolutely does use people...but the credit is to God, not the person used. God used Satan as well and that doesn't mean we should commend him...not to suggest that Sheen is anything like Satan...I'm just suggesting credit should be given where due.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Yes, give the credit ro God. As did Bishop Sheen
    July 9, 2012 7:08 pm
    As did everyone awarded that honorific title of 'saint'.
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  • rational wrote...
    ron prevost
    July 9, 2012 10:23 pm
    As did Bishop Sheen

    I suppose I should clarify...I'm not knocking Sheen. I'm just not comfortable with the tendency to over emphasis men who were used by God as if they personally accomplished the miracles.

    For example, if zero healing occurred during Sheen's ministry does that make him less respectable? And yet that is the very thing that is one of the keys leading to his veneration and possibly "sainthood" down the road.

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