The Question Box moderator cites this bishop's book about Atheistic Communism as possible use in a Political Science course [St. Fidgeta & Other Parodies, 45].
New York cleric (monsignor, later bishop) who became famous in the 1940s and 50s for converting several notorious skeptics and immediately became an intellectual superstar for American Catholics. Hosted a widely-viewed half-hour network television program, Life Is Worth Living, in the early days of television on the DuMont Network.
Bowen recalls Sheen and his blackboard, "explaining to you with wit and a dazzling Irish smile where Sigmund Freud got it all wrong, or something similar. I don't remember how many books he wrote."
Myers recalls Sheen as having "piercing eyes and a strong speaking voice that would deliver non-sectarian but definitely Christian-oriented pop lectures on the moral issues of the day ("Marx asked the right questions, but he got the wrong answers"). I'm sure he must have had book tie-ins with his program, though I don't remember anything specific. I liked him, but even as a kid I thought we was a little bit corny. It was his program's fate to be shown opposite Milton Berle during most of its life. He was a genuine fan of Berle, which doesn't enhance his reputation in my eyes. Many years ago I saw a celebrity roast for Berle in which Bishop Sheen paid such heartfelt tribute to his humor that Berle was reduced to tears."
Quotes
"Hearing nuns' confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn."
"I feel it is time that I also pay tribute to my four writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John."
