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Fulton-Sheen-cropped. Photo by Fred Palumbo on Wikimedia Commons.
By Joseph Pronechen, National Catholic Register, Dec 31, 2024
Joseph Pronechen is staff writer with the National Catholic Register since 2005 and before that a regular correspondent for the paper. His articles have appeared in a number of national publications including Columbia magazine, Soul, Faith and Family, Catholic Digest, Catholic Exchange, and Marian Helper.
At the 1979 National Prayer Breakfast, Archbishop Sheen reminded Americans about the balance of freedom and responsibilities — and the need for repentance.
“Mr. President, you are a sinner,” Archbishop Fulton Sheen said as he looked at President Jimmy and first lady Rosalynn Carter at the podium at the National Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 18, 1979.
Archbishop Sheen continued: “I am a sinner.”
Pausing again, he took in the crowd and began his speech: “Mr. President, Mrs. Carter, and fellow sinners, in a speech which the president gave in the Baptist church, Plains, Georgia, he quoted St. Paul to the effect that we are all sinners. So, Mr. President, we include you in this title. I will tell you why I have addressed you that way. But I want to preface it: first of all, by thanking God for our rights and liberties; secondly, by acknowledging to God our duties and responsibilities; and then will come the fact that we are sinners.”
Such faith-filled observations were commonplace for these two men, as Carter — who died this Sunday at age 100 — was known as a man of faith, and the archbishop was ever the preacher in his final year (he died in December 1979). …
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