On Religion: At Charlie Kirk Memorial, Faith and Forgiveness Meet Politics and Power
(ANALYSIS) Soon after she began dating Charlie Kirk, Erika Frantzve — a devout Catholic — asked him: “Why don't you wear a cross?”
Kirk's response: “I’m not a jewelry guy.”
She gave him a St. Michael cross necklace, which he started wearing as “he felt the weight of the world on him,” Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet told Fox News. “He never took it off again, until he was assassinated and the people caring for him ripped it off as they tried to save his life.”
The St. Michael's prayer, written in 1898 by Pope Leo XIII, describes fierce warfare between good and evil: “St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. ... By the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.”
Erika Kirk wore that blood-stained pendant during the Sept. 21 memorial service in State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona — with an estimated 100,000 people inside and thousands gathered nearby. At least 20 million watched on Fox, X, YouTube and other simulcast networks.
In her 30-minute testimony, she said her husband knew his life was in danger, but he stressed the biblical message in a verse from Isaiah: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”
Kirk said she once told him: “‘Charlie, baby, please talk to me next time before you say that statement.’ ... When you say, ‘Here I am, Lord. Use me,’ God will take you up on that.’ ... God accepted that total surrender from my husband, and then called him to His side.”
Erika Kirk's address dominated an event that featured President Donald Trump and multiple cabinet members. While praising what Kirk achieved in his 31-year life, several shared how his death has pushed them to ponder their own beliefs.
Vice President J.D. Vance admitted: “I always felt a little uncomfortable talking about my faith in public, as much as I love the Lord. ... I have talked more about Jesus Christ in the past two weeks than I have my entire time in public life.” Vance ended with: “May our Heavenly Father give us the courage to live as Charlie lived. ... You ran a good race, my friend. I love you. We've got it from here. We've got it.”
During hours of standing ovations, the strongest came when Erika Kirk discussed — her voice trembling — the accused shooter. Her husband tried to help young men who "feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith and no reason to live," those "consumed with resentment, anger and hate.” Thus, he "wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life. ...
“That young man. On the cross, our Savior said: 'Father, forgive them, for they not know what they do.’ That young man — I forgive him. I forgive him because it's what Christ did. And it's what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer -- we know from the Gospel -- is love.”
Trump later noted that Charlie Kirk had “a noble spirit” and “did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them.”
But the president said he cannot — at this point — live that way.
“That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don't want the best for them. ... I am sorry, Erika.”
In addition to her appeal, Trump — pointing to heaven — said, “[Charlie’s] angry at me now. ... He was interested in persuading everyone to the ideas and principles he believed were good, right and true. Before each appearance he prayed these words: ‘God use me for your will.’”
Erika Kirk stressed one more thing: The Turning Point USA team will continue holding First Amendment forums and open debates, because “when you stop the dialogue -- this is what happens. When we lose the ability and the willingness to communicate, we get violence.”
That’s what her husband would want, she said.
“While Charlie died far too early, he was also ready to die. There was nothing, nothing, he was putting off. There was nothing too hard or too painful. ... I want you to know something: Charlie died with incomplete work, but not with unfinished business.”
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Terry Mattingly is Senior Fellow on Communications and Culture at Saint Constantine College in Houston. He lives in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and writes Rational Sheep, a Substack newsletter on faith and mass media.