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The assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk is prompting Timothy Cardinal Dolan to call it a moment of spiritual awakening for young people. Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, compared Kirk to a “modern-day St. Paul.”
“He was a missionary, he’s an evangelist, he’s a hero. He’s one I think that knew what Jesus meant when he said the truth will set you free,” Dolan said Friday on “Fox & Friends.”
He noted that while Kirk had a blunt style, he respected opposing views.
“The difference is the way, the mode, the style that he did it always with respect and not only was that a gracious kind of virtuous thing to do, it’s effective.”
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Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, greets supporters during an event in San Diego on May 1. (Michael Ho Wai Lee/Getty Images)
Dolan said he began learning more about Kirk’s faith work only after his death on Sept. 10. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. He leaves behind his wife and two children.
The cardinal believes the tragedy could inspire a renewed interest in faith among young people, a trend he says has already been growing.
“What they’re seeing is almost this kind of revival of a sense of value and truth and conviction, almost an elevation of the role of faith back into the public square where our founders intended it to be from the beginning,” Dolan said.
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“They’re almost saying this overwhelming sense of appreciation for Charlie and the great solidarity that we’re sensing is itself an answer to prayers.”
An attendee wearing an American flag joins a candlelight vigil in Seattle for Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, who was killed earlier that day at Utah Valley University on September 10. (David Ryder/Getty Images)
Kirk’s work often centered on strengthening what he viewed as the traditional American family, a mission rooted in his Christian beliefs. Dolan argued that many young people who drifted from God are now recognizing a void in their lives, something Kirk helped them identify.
“As St. Augustine said, ‘No, it’s not something missing. It’s someone missing.’ I think that’s what Charlie said. He wasn’t afraid to talk about the Lord. He wasn’t even afraid to say the name of Jesus,” Dolan added.
Charlie Kirk debates with students at The Cambridge Union on May 19 in Cambridge, England. (Nordin Catic/Getty Images for The Cambridge Union)
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The cardinal condemned Kirk’s killing as “evil” and said the public must not shy away from calling it that. He stressed that personal attacks weaken arguments.
“Issues, not individuals. Principles, not just politics,” he said.
“The weakest argument is ad hominem. When you begin to attack the person…then you know you’ve lost it… The compelling nature of a rational argument has faded, so you begin to attack the person. Charlie apparently knew that.”
Turning Point USA announced it will hold a public memorial for Kirk this Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals’ stadium, which can hold more than 70,000 people.
