“To live is Christ and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21

I, like most other political and social conservatives, feel very saddened – and angered – by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I often checked his posts on X and admired his ability to dialogue with, and debate, leftists in an eloquent and good-natured manner. He was a young man of great faith and infectious enthusiasm. And he was staunchly pro-life and pro-family.

I also felt badly when conservative icon Rush Limbaugh died of lung cancer in 2021. I had listened to Limbaugh’s radio show for years. But his death, albeit sad, was expected (and due to natural causes). Even in this toxic political climate, Kirk’s murder is still shocking. It was obviously done to silence his voice, which had been quite effective in recent years, especially among young people. However, his murder is also a symbolic attack on those of us who are staunchly pro-life and pro-family – and pro-God.

The alleged assassin is Tyler James Robinson, 22, who reportedly hated Kirk for his views and was living with a transgender romantic partner.

According to The Associated Press: “Robinson’s mother told investigators that their son had turned left politically in the last year and became more supportive of gay and transgender rights after dating someone who is transgender…Those decisions prompted several conversations in the household, especially between Robinson and his father. They had different political views and Robinson told his partner in a text that his dad had become a ‘diehard MAGA’ since Trump was elected.”

According to ABC News: ‘His parents then asked their son why he committed this crime, to which he said ‘there is too much evil and the guy [Charlie Kirk] spreads too much hate….”

Robinson needs to look in the mirror, of course.

There have been news reports in the last several days of (mostly) haters of President Trump and his political allies, in various fields of employment, who’ve been suspended or fired for celebrating Kirk’s murder. I don’t feel the least bit sorry for them. They’re bad people. Yet I will try my best to do what Our Lord Jesus Christ asks of us: But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.... - Matthew 5:44

Some recent poll results are quite troubling and indicative of where things stand in this aforementioned toxic political climate…

According to LifeNews.com: “The Napolitan News Service poll found that a staggering 26% of those aged 18 to 34 answered ‘yes’ to the question: ‘While it is always difficult to wish ill of another human being, is America better off now that Charlie Kirk has been killed?’ Among Democrats, 24% also responded affirmatively….The survey also found that 31% of respondents who identify with Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s policies believe the country is better off following Kirk’s death.”

According to YouGov: “It is true that liberal Americans are more likely than conservatives to defend feeling joy about the deaths of political opponents. 16% of liberals say this is usually or always acceptable, including 24% of those who say their ideology is very liberal and 10% who say they are liberal but not very liberal. That compares to 4% of conservatives and 7% of moderates.”

Then there are those (some of whom are on the right) very misguided folks who’ve been promoting ridiculous conspiracy theories: that Israel is behind Kirk’s assassination, or that Kirk faked his own death and is still alive somewhere in hiding. Such theories are equally as ridiculous as the tragic 2012 Sandy Hook mass shooting being a hoax, or 9/11 being an “inside job.”

Now, is Charlie Kirk a Christian martyr?

I’d say yes.

As does Cardinal Gerhard Müller, who in a recent interview stated:

“Charlie Kirk was a devout Christian. From a supernatural perspective, he died not as the victim of a political assassination, but as a martyr for Jesus Christ—not in the sense of those who are canonized, but as one who bore witness (from the Greek martyros) through his life. He gave his life in following his Lord, as a sacrifice for the truth that man is made in God’s image, male and female, and in opposition to the lies and self-mutilation promoted by so-called ‘trans-ideology’ and ‘gender-affirming care.’ He upheld and lived in defense of the beauty and sanctity of marriage and family, as ordained by God the Creator, and stood up for the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death.”

We’re in the midst of spiritual warfare. It’s been raging for quite some time and shows no sign of abating anytime soon. Will Kirk’s demonic assassination be a watershed moment in America? I wish I could say yes, but I fear it won’t be. I think it’ll be business as usual once some time passes. A divided America in a culture of death. But God has a plan, and, as a Catholic, I need to trust in His plan, whatever it may be. I know Our Lord Jesus Christ is perfect, no matter what.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.