On Saturday, the Archdiocese of Santa Fe announced that former Santa Fe Archbishop Michael Sheehan, 83, passed away. Sheehan served as Archbishop of Santa Fe from 1993 to 2015, retiring at 75 as customary of all Roman Catholic bishops.
He spent 50 years serving the church, 32 of those as a bishop.
“With sadness and with profound faith in the Risen Christ, I announce to you that Archbishop Sheehan passed away late this afternoon,” current Archbishop John C. Wester. “He died peacefully and with firm faith in his Lord and Savior. I am sure that he was very gratified by the many visitors he received these past few weeks.”
The Archdiocese wrote in a press release, “Archbishop Sheehan’s peaceful departure brings to an end a remarkable journey that spanned over eight decades, during which he selflessly guided countless individuals on their spiritual path and worked tirelessly to uplift the lives of those in need. Known for his unwavering faith, compassionate nature, and profound wisdom, he leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.”
“Beyond his pastoral responsibilities, Archbishop Emeritus Sheehan was deeply committed to social justice, evangelization, and worked tirelessly to abolish the death penalty in New Mexico. He championed initiatives aimed at eradicating poverty, promoting equality, and ensuring the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society. His unwavering advocacy for human rights and dignity earned him the respect and admiration of people from all walks of life. On June 17, 2003, he was named Apostolic Administrator of Phoenix until December 20, 2003, and was elected the Secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops November 12, 2003 – December 1, 2006,” the press release continued.
“Born July 9, 1939, in Wichita, Kan., Sheehan was ordained in Rome in 1964 and became the bishop of the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas, in 1983,” reported the Santa Fe New Mexican.
“Archbishop Robert Sanchez had been forced to resign after admitting misconduct with women, and reports of child sexual abuse by priests were surfacing…. Claims of abuse would continue, eventually prompting a bankruptcy case that recently was settled with nearly 400 claimants for $121.5 million. By many accounts, however, Sheehan succeeded in restoring stability to the diocese and reviving its damaged spirit.”
The Archdiocese added, “The loss of Archbishop Emeritus Michael Jarboe Sheehan will be deeply felt by the Roman Catholic Church, the local community, and countless individuals. His motto, ‘Love One Another Constantly,’ will continue to inspire and guide the faithful to uphold the values he held dear.”
May Archbishop emeritus Sheehan rest in peace. He was a very good man.
Archbishop Sheenan was tasked with cleaning up the church’s pedophilia mess. He worked long and hard at what seemed an impossible task. He leaves a strong legacy as a man of God.