Watch CBS News

Archbishop Sheen's Remains Moved To Illinois From NY Church

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — The remains of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen have been removed from St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York and are on their way to central Illinois.

The move comes after three years of litigation that ended with a court ruling Sheen's niece could bury him in Peoria, where he was ordained 100 years ago. She believes that will improve his chances at sainthood.

Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria said Thursday that Sheen's remains were disinterred from a basement crypt at the Manhattan church where they have been since his 1979 death and flown to Chicago. They are to be transported to the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria and encased in a marble monument.

Jenky says the process to have Sheen declared a saint has resumed.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.