Don’t let Charlie Kirk’s murder scare you

On September 10, the day before America paused to remember the lives lost on 9/11, another act of violence pierced our nation.

Charlie Kirk, a young conservative unafraid to speak of the powerful role of his Christian faith in his life, was assassinated. The shock goes beyond the political assassination itself, but also the incredibility that some in our nation are openly celebrating it. Yet this moment calls not for fear, but for steadfastness. We are reminded that living according to our convictions can transform believers into instruments of God’s peace, even in a world hostile to truth, goodness, and beauty. 

Kirk’s voice was inspired by the Gospel. He affirmed the dignity of every human life, the natural institutions of marriage, and the reality of God-given male and female identities. Once, these truths were widely accepted. Now, many progressives dismiss them as “hate.” Calling good evil and evil good is nothing new — but hostility toward faith has grown sharper, more relentless, and now, tragically, deadly. 

He inspired many young Americans who are experiencing a spiritual awakening, returning in growing numbers to church and striving to live fully as believers. Like Kirk, Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati — canonized in Rome by Pope Leo XIV last Sunday — showed that faith can shape every part of life. His example reminded a generation that faith is not a private hobby but a foundation for action, integrity and dialogue.

Shortly before his death, Kirk’s wife — the mother of their two young children — posted on X Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” These words now carry profound weight. They remind us that God is present even when the world is broken.

I learned of Kirk’s assassination while waiting in the carpool line at my two youngest children’s Classical Christian school. The timing was chilling. The school is much like the one where a mass shooting left three children and three adults dead last year. Its students’ age range is similar to that of where the all-school Mass in Minnesota turned into terror just a few weeks ago. 

The daily Mass readings on the 10th and 11th were poignant. From Colossians: “Put on … compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience … and over all these put on love.” The Gospel reading on 9/11 hit even harder. In Luke, Jesus commands: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” The Christian response to evil is not revenge, but mercy. Hard as it is, it is a path that all believers are called to follow.

The timing of Kirk’s murder, so close to the anniversary of 9/11, is sobering. Twenty-four years ago, Islamist extremists tried to destroy our nation in concerted acts of terror. Today, a different threat has taken root at home — not with planes turned into bombs, but with cultural hostility, ridicule and attacks on religious conviction.

When hatred targets innocent people, when affirming traditional marriage and biological reality can brand someone a bigot, and when disagreement dehumanizes – violence is often the end result. 

Over the last few days, I have counseled one daughter, a freshman at an elite secular university. She was stunned by how many of her classmates reacted to Kirk’s murder with smirks — or cold delight. I reminded her: this comes from ignorance; from never having encountered a faith that shapes the heart as well as the mind, from not knowing a loving Father in heaven. 

Kirk’s death is a wake-up call for all believers. Convictions grounded in sincerely-held religious beliefs cannot be treated as dangerous or discriminatory. Our reaction must be clear and unequivocal:

First, we grieve and pray for Charlie’s family and friends, and even for the terrible person who took his life. This will be difficult, but it distinguishes us from people driven by vengeance.

Second, we live our faith openly. Colossians tells us to let Christ’s peace rule our hearts. Luke tells us to love our enemies. Psalm 46 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength. None of these promises comfort or approval, but all promise that God’s love is stronger than hate and His justice is sure.

Charlie Kirk’s life and death challenge Christians of all denominations to stand firm, with courage, compassion, and mercy. Let us pray for the healing of our nation and for the conversion of those who celebrate instead of mourn his death. May they come to know the God who transforms hatred into healing, despair into hope and death into eternal life.