Carrying on the Legacy of Charlie Kirk

“If you believe in something, you need to have the courage to fight for those ideas - not run away from them or try and silence them.”

-Charlie Kirk

As Catholics, we know that truth is not something we invent, but something we receive from God. There is no such thing as his truth or her truth, simply the truth. It is inscribed on our hearts by God, and revealed through Christ. In a world that often vehemently pushes back against truth, we are called to speak it with love, but also with courage. Truth is not hate, and it is spoken to bring others closer to Christ. Christ did not dine with sinners to condone their sin, but to call them to turn back to Him.

Charlie Kirk was willing to challenge the culture and speak out against the outrageous lies that are too often accepted as normal today. He gave many young people, including Catholics, an example of what it means to be bold, faithful, and unafraid to speak the truth no matter the cost. He had constant death threats made against him, and knew any day could be his last, and yet he continued to do what he knew God was calling him to do in this world.

His legacy is something we can carry forward in honor of him and for ourselves because he was defending the truth for all of us. He died defending that truth. We are not called to live in imitation of Charlie, but by allowing his courage to inspire our own. Across numerous college campuses he invited those with opposing views to a respectful debate, and we pray that our young people can have the courage necessary to continue this work of evangelization, and to have hope.

For Catholic young people, this begins with being well-formed in their own faith; understanding what the Church teaches, why it teaches it, and how they are called to live out their faith. It means spending time in prayer, receiving the sacraments, and remaining close to Christ, because no one can share with others what we they do not have themselves.

The fact though is that being properly catechized alone is not enough. All of us need to live our faith publicly and with conviction. Whether we are speaking for the unborn and their right to life, defending marriage and the family, speaking the truth in our schools or the places where we work, or simply striving to live with integrity, we are all called to be a light to those who are confused and broken. Charlie reminded us that silence is not an option when truth is on the line.

Although Charlie Kirk was not Catholic, his commitment to truth, freedom, and virtue aligns closely with our ideals and values as Catholics. He helped build an atmosphere of courage, especially among college students, and now it is our responsibility to continue that mission. We are called to speak the truth boldly, to love others without compromising our beliefs, and to lead by example in both word and deed.

If we do this, if we live our Catholic faith fully and fearlessly, then Charlie’s legacy will not only live on, but will bear fruit in the lives of others and ultimately lead them toward the One who is Truth itself, Jesus Christ.

Photo: Charlie Kirk, Instagram