Peoria Diocese establishes first parish dedicated to Blessed Fulton Sheen

Following the beatification of Fulton Sheen, Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria announced the creation of the first parish in the world dedicated to the new Blessed. The parish will be formed through the merger of two existing communities, Santa Maria in El Paso and San Juan in Benson, due to a shortage of priests. While the new entity will be known as the Blessed Fulton Sheen Parish, the individual churches will retain their historical names. The official change is set to take effect on December 9, the liturgical feast day of the new Blessed.

In related commemorations, an icon was introduced to highlight Sheen’s connection to Eastern Catholic churches. The icon depicts him with both a Roman miter and a Byzantine episcopal crown, symbolizing his affinity for the Byzantine rite. Bishop Robert M. Pipta of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Parma noted that Sheen’s mission and care for those facing oppression continue through his heavenly intercession.