“Moral principles do not depend on a majority vote. Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is wrong. Right is right, even if nobody is right.”
Peter John was born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, the oldest of 4 sons of Newton and Delia Sheen who were Irish farmers. Although he was baptized as Peter, he was known as “Fulton”, which was his mother’s maiden name.
After they moved to Peoria, his 1st role within the Church was an altar boy. While serving for the Bishop, he dropped a wine cruet, and it shattered. The Bishop later spoke with the frightened boy and made bold predictions about him, one of which was that he would be a bishop.
After high honors in high school, he entered St. Viator College. He was called to the priesthood, attended Saint Paul Seminary in Minnesota, and was ordained at the age of 24.
He studied at the Catholic University of America and then in Belgium for philosophy. 5 years later, he returned to the University in America. His preaching talents, knowledge, and wisdom quickly became known.
His reputation grew and attracted attention from the media. At 31, he was invited to record Sunday evening Lenten sermons on New York radio and then asked to be a fill-in for The Catholic Hour program. With positive audience response he was asked to continue as a weekly speaker.
Instead of a high-ranking individual, he was selected as the principal speaker at the University’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.
He was made Monsignor by Pope Pius XI at the age of 39 and his weekly talks on the radio program presented Catholic teaching in a way that had never been done before. He addressed topics ranging from devotion to the Blessed Mother to the dangers of Communism. He taught how the Gospel applied to personal moral decisions and the great social issues of the time.
With his large fan base, duties as a professor, and preparation for the shows, he was left exhausted. Still, he did not shrink from the opportunities or his duties, and kept a full teaching schedule, while also publishing 34 books.
He hoped that Catholics would become more influential through education and integrate their faith into daily life, attracting others to the One True Church.
At the age of 55, he became the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and raised millions of dollars for missionary efforts worldwide.
A year later and he was consecrated as bishop and began his famous television series, Life is Worth Living, reaching over 30 million viewers. He won an Emmy and became very influential. He donated the $10 million that he earned from television programs.
He led numerous people to conversion including celebrities who sought him out for instruction.
In 1966, Pope Paul VI named him as Bishop of Rochester. 3 years later the Pope named him Archbishop of Newport, Wales allowing him more time for preaching and writing.
He promoted benefits of making a holy hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament which he greatly practiced himself.
He had undergone open heart surgery and later, on December 9, 1979, he died on the floor of his private chapel while praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
In 2002, his Cause for Canonization was officially opened.
For God’s Glory.
