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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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. »
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.
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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.
Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/media/charlie-kirk-assassination-spark-faith-revival-among-youth-cardinal-dolan-predicts
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Publish date : 2025-09-19 15:40:00
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