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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.”
“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.
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.
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