According to Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, the Antichrist will be a seemingly benevolent and charismatic figure, not a cartoonishly evil monster
. Rather than overtly rejecting religion, he will offer a seductive, worldly alternative that promises peace and prosperity as ends in themselves. Sheen believed this deception would come through a "counter-Church," resembling the true Church in its outward form but emptied of its divine content. The Antichrist as a deceptive humanitarian
In a 1947 radio address, Sheen explained that the Antichrist's approach would be eminently reasonable and appealing to a world weary of spiritual truths.
- A "Great Humanitarian": He will talk about peace, prosperity, and plenty, but not as a means to draw people closer to God. Instead, these worldly goals will become the ultimate purpose.
- An "angel of light": Sheen reminded his audience that Satan comes as an "angel of light," and the Antichrist will similarly disguise himself with a facade of goodness.
- Appealing to the lonely: He will attract followers by offering a sense of community and purpose to people who feel lonely and desperate, without requiring any personal amendment or admission of guilt.
The "ape of the Church"
Sheen stated that the Antichrist will set up a deceptive parallel to the true Church.
- It will possess the externals of the Church, but its divine content will be reversed and hollowed out.
- This "mystical body of the Antichrist" will mirror the mystical body of Christ.
A religion to destroy religion
Sheen warned that the Antichrist would use religious language to subvert the true Faith. This will be a new religion of convenience:
- A religion without a Cross.
- A liturgy that dismisses the world to come.
- A politics that becomes a religion, which gives to Caesar what belongs to God.
Why the deception will succeed
Sheen believed the Antichrist's tactics would be so convincing that they could "deceive even the elect". This is because the lie will appear so much like the truth, not a monstrous caricature of evil. By celebrating indifference to right and wrong and blurring moral standards, the Antichrist will effectively poison the culture.
A struggle for souls
Ultimately, Bishop Sheen viewed the rise of the Antichrist as the final struggle for the souls of men. He urged his listeners to be vigilant, pray, and cling to the Truth of Christ and his Church in the face of these deceptions.