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FBI investigated Archbishop Sheen in 1943

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in cassock, ferraiolo and pectoral cross, standing among bookshelves beside a carved statue of the Madonna and Child, on the set of his television programme.
Fulton J. Sheen on the set of his television programme. Fred Palumbo, 1952. Library of Congress, New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection. Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

The FBI investigated Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen in 1943 after an anonymous source reported his criticisms of the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin. Because the United States and the U.S.S.R. were allies during World War II, officials feared that Sheen's long-standing intellectual opposition to Marxism and Stalin could damage the war effort.

According to OSV News, agents assigned to tail Sheen gathered little of substance during the investigation. Their reports included personal details such as his preference for chocolate ice cream, his daily Holy Hour, and an instance where he talked a police officer out of issuing him a speeding ticket.

The bureau eventually closed the file on Sheen. By the early 1950s, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover invited Sheen, who had since become a bishop, to speak at a graduation ceremony for newly inducted agents.

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Earlier version, Tuesday 22 September

Why the FBI investigated Archbishop Sheen during World War II

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Sep 21, 11:18 AM OSV News Why the FBI investigated Archbishop Sheen during WWII
  2. Sep 21, 2:35 PM The Catholic Spirit Why the FBI investigated Archbishop Sheen during WWII
  3. Sep 22, 3:09 AM Catholic World News FBI investigated, tailed Fulton Sheen during World War II (OSV News)

More on Fulton J. Sheen

  1. Sep 22, 4:59 AM PT CredoStudios, a new Catholic platform shows the documentary on the FBI vs. Fulton Sheen
  2. Sep 22, 4:19 AM PT Fulton Sheen’s cousin on the power of the Hour
  3. Sep 22, 3:43 AM PT · 2 sources Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified Thursday
  4. Sep 22, 3:12 AM PT Carmelite Spirituality Fueled Fulton Sheen
  5. Sep 21, 11:20 PM PT Fulton Sheen on Communism
  6. Sep 21, 10:18 PM PT · 2 sources Catholic Church will beatify Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on September 24
  7. Sep 21, 4:32 PM PT · 5 sources Bishop Louis Tylka presides at Mass marking Archbishop Sheen's priestly ordination anniversary
  8. Sep 21, 1:33 PM PT Paley Center for Media’s Senior Curator Revisits Fulton Sheen’s Broadcast Career Ahead of Beatification
  9. Sep 21, 12:04 PM PT · 3 sources Sheen's rediscovered meatloaf recipe, with applesauce and apple butter
  10. Sep 21, 12:04 PM PT · 7 sources A guide to Archbishop Fulton Sheen's beatification in St. Louis on September 24
  11. Sep 21, 11:29 AM PT Bp Louis Tylka writes about Abp Fulton Sheen
  12. Sep 21, 11:28 AM PT · 2 sources How Archbishop Sheen, a philosophy professor, became 'God's microphone'
  13. Sep 21, 9:55 AM PT Why the FBI investigated Archbishop Sheen during WWI
  14. Sep 21, 8:56 AM PT As Beatification Draws Near, Man Reflects On Train Ride With Archbishop Fulton Sheen
  15. Sep 21, 8:40 AM PT Sheen’s Signature Style: ‘We Dress for God’
  16. Sep 21, 2:59 AM PT 7 Notable Catholics Converted by Fulton Sheen
  17. Sep 20, 5:00 PM PT Fulton Sheen: A Precursor to the New Evangelization
  18. Sep 20, 5:53 AM PT How Archbishop Fulton Sheen Changed Father Mike Schmitz’s Life
  19. Sep 20, 5:16 AM PT What I learned about priesthood from Fulton Sheen
  20. Sep 19, 9:11 PM PT · 3 sources US bishops see Fulton Sheen as a model of holiness and mission
  21. Sep 19, 3:00 PM PT Question Time – Archbishop Fulton Sheen is about to be beatified. Fr John Flader sheds some light on him
  22. Sep 19, 8:47 AM PT · 7 sources Sheen's beatification offers US bishops a model of holiness and mission
  23. Sep 19, 8:02 AM PT Katie Prejean McGrady on Archbishop Sheen: ‘This Catholic Guy in the Cape Gets It’
  24. Sep 19, 5:45 AM PT Fulton Sheen, a Trusted Intercessor for Our Times
  25. Sep 18, 5:28 PM PT · 4 sources EWTN to cover Fulton Sheen beatification

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