Archbishop Fulton Sheen drew tens of millions of Americans to their TV sets with little more than a chalkboard, a cape and a message about Christianity, morality and the threat of communism.More than seven decades later, conservative commentator Michael Knowles said that he believes the legendary Catholic broadcaster could deliver essentially the same message and immediately find himself branded a "far-right extremist.""I think he would be taking his first breath to utter the first syllable of the very first sentence just when someone called him a far-right extremist," Knowles told Fox News Digital."He wouldn't need to change his message."BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: THE REAL REASON COMMUNISTS FEAR RELIGION AND WANT BELIEVERS SILENCEDArchbishop Fulton Sheen's radio program, "The Catholic Hour," reached more than 4 million people, and his TV show, "Life Is Worth Living" captivated an estimated 30 million viewers. (Getty Images, File)Sheen was formally beatified, or formally "blessed" by the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday in St.
Louis, marking a major step toward possible sainthood for one of the most recognizable religious figures of 20th century America.President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined Catholics celebrating Sheen's life, with the White House calling him the first American-born bishop to be beatified by the Catholic Church.Long before podcasts and social media gave religious figures direct access to enormous audiences, Sheen became one of America's most successful religious broadcasters.His radio program, "The Catholic Hour," reached more than 4 million people, according to Vatican News.He later made the leap to television, where "Life Is Worth Living" eventually captivated an estimated 30 million viewers.
The format was strikingly simple.AMERICA HAS FOUNDING FATHERS.A CATHOLIC SAINT WAS A FOUNDING MOTHERConservative media host Michael Knowles says he believes newly beatified Archbishop Fulton Sheen would be branded a "far-right extremist" ...