By Bishop Joseph E. Strickland, Bishop Emeritus, Pillars of Faith, September 14, 2025
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The world has been shaken in recent days by the sudden and tragic death of Charlie Kirk. Although he was not Catholic, his boldness and courage, his willingness to stand publicly against a culture of lies, and his evident desire to move toward the truth struck a chord across the nation and the world. His wife is a daughter of the Catholic Church, and his death has brought sorrow to countless souls, Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
We pray for the repose of his soul, for consolation for his wife and family, and for healing for the many who feel this loss deeply. Yet we must also recognize: this moment is more than a passing news story. It is a spiritual thunderclap.
What is most striking is this: Catholics in every corner are looking to a Protestant figure as a hero, a martyr, a voice of courage. And why? Because so many in the Catholic Church – the very Bride of Christ, which possesses the fullness of the Gospel and the grace of the Sacraments – have laid down their swords. We have become content with the status quo. Too many bishops and priests are silent before the onslaught of error. Too many of the faithful have grown weary, discouraged, and beaten down like dogs. ….
