Thoughts After the Murder of a Good and Faithful Servant

This past week Bishop Baron’s YouTube podcast “Bishop Barron Presents,” was left without a guest.  Evil snuffed the life out of the young civil rights leader who was scheduled for the interview.

Bishop Baron posted the following on X after he heard about the horrific murder:

“I first met Charlie Kirk about four years ago when I was in Phoenix for a speaking engagement. He reached out and invited me to breakfast. I was deeply impressed by him that day. He was a man of great intelligence, considerable charm, and real goodness of heart.

“I reconnected with him just last year, after I saw him debate twenty-five young people who were, to put it mildly, hostile to his views. I texted him that I was so struck by how he kept his cool and his charitable attitude in the face of some pretty obnoxious opposition. I then asked him to appear as a guest on my interview program, “Bishop Barron Presents,” and he eagerly accepted my invitation. He was scheduled to come to Rochester, Minnesota in about ten days. The last contact we had was two nights ago. After I appeared on one of the evening news shows to talk about the Religious Liberty Commission, he texted me and told me how much he appreciated what I said and then added, “I’m excited to join you on your show soon. God bless you.”

“That last sentence shows what was most important to Charlie. He was indeed a great debater and also one of the best advocates in our country for civil discourse, but he was, first and last, a passionate Christian. In fact, when we had that breakfast in Phoenix, we didn’t talk much about politics. We talked about theology, in which he had a deep interest, and about Christ. I know I’m joining millions of people around the world in praying that he rests now in the peace of the Lord.”

Who Was Charlie Kirk?

As reports of the assassination were coming in, many in mainstream media described Charlie Kirk as divisive.  Others have called him a fascist, homophobic, a Nazi, and the slanders can go on.

People throw out these libels so casually.  One must question if people even know what the words mean.

Let’s start with divisive.  This word means causing disagreement or dissension.  Charlie Kirk was so divisive, he would go to college campuses to peacefully debate and bring people of opposite sides together.  It appears he was trying to do just the opposite.

A fascist is someone who supports a government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, and an economy subject to stringent governmental controls.  Fascists also support violent suppression of the opposition, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Charlie Kirk was such a fascist that he would violently suppress the opposition by letting them come to the front of the line to ask questions and debate him first.  He was such a fascist, he would hand a microphone to those with a different view.  He would even put his microphone down so he could listen and resist the urge to respond before the other person was done.

A phobia is an irrational fear.  Critics accused Charlie Kirk of being homophobic among other things.

Stephen King commented that Charlie Kirk, ” . . . advocated stoning gays to death. Just sayin.”  If so, Charlie Kirk was really bad at being homophobic.

David Rubin, creator and host of The Rubin Report, who ‘came out’ as being ‘gay’ in 2006, and one of Kirk’s friends, replied, “Hey @StephenKing, you are more monstrous than any of the characters you ever came up with.  Charlie was never anything but kind to me and my husband.  We broke bread many times, and he never treated us with anything other than respect.  He even came to our house not too long ago and plot twist, didn’t throw rocks at us.  Write about that sometime, you hack.”

A Nazi or national socialist, according to Wikipedia, is a fascist who supports dictatorship, fervent antisemitism, white supremacy, social Darwinism, homophobia, eugenics, and a few other ‘-isms.’  Kirk opposed everything a Nazi holds dear.

The Rest of the Story

If you have a strong argument, you do not need to lie or omit details.  If one Googles top divisive statements made by Charlie Kirk, Google will provide a list of data mined from various mainstream media sources.

For example, Reuters correctly states that Mr. Kirk believed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was “a huge mistake.”  The implication is “Therefore, he is a racist.”  However, he is anything but a racist.  Kirk believed the Civil Rights Act was a catalyst for the destruction of black family leading to nearly 80% of black children born to unmarried parents today.  There is nothing racist about that concern.

I have learned to verify claims.  In this case, claims are very easy to prove or reject due to Charlie Kirk being one of the most video documented people I know.  In most cases, the claim is true, but the implied conclusion is wrong.

Charlie Kirk was neither divisive, fascist, homophobic, nor the laundry list of other vilifications levied against him.  That is what his enemies craved for him to be.  But he wasn’t.

In reality, he was an unapologetic Christian, staunch supporter of the Civil Right to Freedom of Speech, a believer in civil discourse and debate, and a believer in opposing sides debating each other in an effort to find common ground.  Charlie Kirk was a man who did not look politically to the right or left but rather looked up to heaven for guidance.

An Example for Catholics

As Catholics, we believe in many hard truths that are in opposition to the spirit of the age.  As Catholics, we believe abortion is wrong along with the hookup culture.  We believe God created us male and female.  Men are not women and women are not men.  We believe that all people are created in the image of God and worthy of respect regardless of skin color.

Catholics and all Christians are called to reach out to our brothers and sisters and offer them a path to Christ.  All of us are tasked to live the Spiritual Works of Mercy.  We are asked to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish the sinner, comfort the sorrowful, forgive injuries, bear wrongs patiently, and pray for the living and the dead.

Charlie Kirk had no fear to speak these truths to words with courage.  He spoke many of the hard truths, we as Catholics believe, but are often unwilling to say.  Moreover, he did it respectfully and cheerfully even when obviously being verbally attacked and baited.

Christ ate and drank with outcasts from society like tax collectors and prostitutes.  Kirk did the same, like when he appeared on The Whatever podcast. This video is worth watching, especially the end.

Need for Prayers

As Catholics, we fight battles with prayers in place of vengeance.  We believe in praying for the dead.  Unfortunately, many recently murdered souls need our prayers.

In addition to praying for Charlie Kirk, many of the living are in need of prayers as well.  Charlie Kirk’s wife will now be alone raising her children.  The soul who pulled the trigger is in need of prayers as does the father and mother who lost a son to a misguided ideology.

However, the souls that need the most prayer are those who danced and celebrated Kirk’s passing.  The souls that need the most prayer are those who think murder is justifiable in civil discourse.  Prayers are needed for those whose hearts are so hardened they feel no remorse and enjoy the pain of others.

Reflection and Action

After reflecting on Charlie Kirk’s example, I have looked back on myself.  How many times have I kept quiet? How many times did I go along as opposed to pushing back on the promotion of sin in this fallen world?  More important than dwelling on the past, I am asking myself what can I do differently?

As someone who is against abortion, I am asking myself what companies do I regularly buy from that fund abortion on demand?  Who can I buy from instead?

My employer “celebrates” pride month.  I have passively resisted and rolled my eyes like many others in my company when pride posts come out.  How can I push back harder while being charitable this next year?

What else can I do to be the face of Christ to others?  What can you do?

How do we use the riches God has given us, so that we too can be good and faithful servants?