Barney's Immortal Soul

Archbishop Fulton Sheen was probably the foremost Catholic evangelist in American history.  In addition to reaching millions through his long-running radio and television programs he was also known to make direct approaches, in person or by telephone, to  famous non-Catholics.  He usually got right to the point:

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about"

"What would that be, Bishop Sheen?"

"Your immortal soul!"

On numerous occasions his audacious approach led to that person's conversion and reception into the Church.  Some notable examples are famed Jewish violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler, agnostic journalist Heywood Broun, and actress, author, and congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce.

Of course there are very few who have the perfect combination of gifts to carry off such in-your-face evangelization.  Sheen's years on radio and television had made him a national celebrity, while this provided an easy entree to many public figures it took far more than Sheen's sparkling personality to lead these souls to conversion.  Sheen was extremely well-educated and possessed of a significant intellect but he also had the graces and indelible charisms of his sacerdotal and episcopal ordinations.  And he knew where his real power came from: he invariably made a holy hour every single day! 

There aren't many like him, but we could use a few these days.

I have a hunch that if Sheen were alive today, and in the fullness of his powers, one of the public figures who might receive such a phone call is Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank.

We cannot, of course, judge Barney's soul; but we are certainly expected to take account of his public actions and outward demeanor.  From these we can legitimately draw the conclusion that his soul would seem to be in great jeopardy.  And, like the rest of us, he's certainly not getting any younger.  For years I've despised his politics and scandalous lifestyle but I've recently begun to remember him in my prayers.  Jesus told us to pray for our enemies and in the sense that his politics and lifestyle are inimical to ours I think this is fully warranted.

(I also pray for his political defeat, so he'll have plenty of free time to contemplate greater issues!)

I hope I don't sound too much like the Pharisee (as in "the Pharisee and the Publican" in Luke 18), heaven knows I have my own sins to atone for.

Anyway, the late Archbishop is properly titled "Servant of God Fulton Sheen", his cause for canonization having been opened in 2002.  As you probably know, one of the prerequisites for canonization is an authenticated miracle, and I can think of few earthly events more likely to be acknowledged as supernatural and miraclulous than Congressman Frank's true and public conversion to the Catholic Faith.  Perhaps we should all begin directing our prayers to this great Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, for this intention.