The Rochester diocese said Dec. 5 that it expressed concern about the advancement of Sheen's cause "without a further review of his role in priests' assignments."
"The Diocese of Rochester did its due diligence in this matter and believed that, while not casting suspicion, it was prudent that Archbishop Sheen's cause receive further study and deliberation, while also acknowledging the competency of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to render its decision. The Holy See ultimately decided to postpone the beatification," the diocese said.
Monsignor James Kruse, a former Peoria vicar general, told CNA that Bishop Matano expressed his concerns in a Nov. 19 letter, after the beatification was announced, saying that he could not support the scheduled beatification and requesting that it be delayed.
According to Kruse, a copy of this letter was also sent to Bishop Jenky, Cardinal Angelo Becchiu, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and Cardinals Timothy Dolan of New York and Blase Cupich of Chicago.
Both Kruse and the Peoria diocese insist that Sheen's life has been thoroughly examined and with regard to Sheen's handling of the cases of two former priests accused of abuse, he "did nothing wrong."
"Under the veneer of the Rochester diocese's call for caution, more than an overwhelming majority of people would conclude that it is an unexplainable act of sabotage - a sabotage that simply hurts the faithful," Monsignor James Kruse, an official in the Diocese of Peoria involved in advancing Sheen's cause, wrote in a Dec. 7 op-ed.