Greek Catholic Church
Brothers
St. Peter and St. Andrew were brothers, fishermen from Galilee, and among the first apostles called by Jesus.
Peter became the leader of the Apostles and Bishop of Rome, while Andrew (the "First-Called") is recognized as the founder of the Church of Constantinople, symbolizing a deep bond between Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was indeed bi‑ritual, meaning he held faculties to celebrate liturgy in both the Latin Rite (the Roman Rite) and in the Eastern Rite of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church.
Being bi‑ritual does not mean a priest can celebrate in all Eastern rites — it means they have been granted special permission (often through a papal indult) to serve in one of the 20+ Eastern Catholic Churches. In Sheen’s case, this was the Melkite Church, which is part of the Byzantine tradition.
What “bi‑ritual” means
- Latin Rite: The Roman Rite, used in most of the Catholic Church, including the Diocese of Rochester where Sheen served as bishop.
- Eastern Rite: In Sheen’s case, the Melkite Byzantine Rite, which uses the Byzantine liturgical tradition, including the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
- Faculties: These are the official permissions from the Church to celebrate certain rites or sacraments in a particular rite.
- Scope: Bi‑ritual status is specific to one Eastern Rite Church, not all Eastern Churches.
Why it Matters
Let's take the beatification opportunity of the Archbishop in saying we have a chalk board with nothing on it. This is the time to plan something new and exciting for the Church. The idea of teaching the West about the East is a very powerful thing that CAN BE DONE.
Bi‑ritual status reflects the Catholic Church’s communion with Eastern Catholic Churches, allowing bishops and priests to serve in both traditions. For Sheen, it was part of his broader mission to evangelize across liturgical and cultural boundaries, while remaining fully committed to the unity of the Church.
In short, Fulton J. Sheen was bi‑ritual because he had papal faculties to celebrate the Byzantine Liturgy of the Melkite Church alongside the Latin Rite, enabling him to serve in both traditions. (Wikipedia and Catholic Questions)
Come and See
Celebrating the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Join the Beatification celebration - a joyful milestone for the Church and a witness to a life of heroic virtue.