There was a time when the bishops were men who stood up for their beliefs. Bishop Sheen and Cardinal Spellman, in particular, stand out.
The good bishop had the most watched show on TV, at the time. One reason was his oratory and his honest simplicity.
Cardinal Spellman, on the other hand, knew how to play hard ball. During one particularly rancorous discussion over state aid to Catholic schools (buses, textbooks and supplies), he told the politicians “No help, no schools”. He threatened to shut down every Catholic school in the Archdiocese - an absolute disaster for the politicians. He prevailed.
Two great men indeed! But it’s ironic you chose Sheen and Spellman; they despised each other.