Television: Beggar with a Tin Cup

The first religious leader to preach to audiences of millions at a time was Manhattan’s Roman Catholic Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, who, after 25 years of radio-rating, moved into TV in 1952, attracted as many as 16 million listeners over 144 stations. With pontific gesture but light-hearted approach, he used blackboard drawings to discuss philosophy, referred to the Virgin Mary as “Our Lady of Television,” earned high ratings even opposite Lucy and You Bet Your Life.

Last week Emmy-winning Bishop Sheen announced that he would leave TV “temporarily” in order to devote more time to his “first duty, which is to be a beggar with a tin cup in my hand for the poor of the world.” Added Sheen: “From a worldly point of view there are many reasons for continuing on TV; but from a spiritual point of view, one must occasionally retire from the lights of TV to the shades and shadows of the Cross, where the soul is refreshed and strengthened. As the retirement was dictated by spiritual considerations, so will be the moment of return.”