By Barb Arland-Fye
Editorial
A young adult Catholic, responding to the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last week posted a thoughtful, compassionate message intended to mend hearts and attitudes. Erin gave permission to The Catholic Messenger to share excerpts from her commentary:
“There’s already so much division in our country, and in reaction to recent events, we have started to turn against ‘each other.’ We have forgotten that the problem is evil. The problem isn’t ‘the other side.’ People who commit notorious acts of violence like the assassination of Charlie Kirk, or the assassination of Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Hortman, want to spread hate, start wars, and create even more division.”
“We can’t let this continue! We need to find the good in each other. I recently saw a post on Instagram asking people in the comments (section) to say something kind about ‘the other side.’ The comments were heartwarming and kind, and we need more of that.”
“… I’m sharing this in hopes to quell the outrage and shine some truth during this time of unrest, rage, and immediate reaction without pause. We need to take a collective deep breath, and stop turning on each other. Stop blaming entire groups of people for acts committed by individuals. Stop associating outrageous, extremist trolls as representatives of entire political parties. … I fully believe this vitriol towards each other is what is leading to these senseless acts of violence. It’s become a civil war.”
“Charlie Kirk didn’t deserve death. Neither did Melissa Hortman. Neither does anyone who lost their lives simply by speaking for what they believe in.”
Kirk’s grieving widow, Erika, in a Sept. 12 broadcast from his studio, spoke of the world being filled with evil but said, “our God is good.” She cited Romans 8:28, “We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good” (OSV News, 9-13-25). Her overarching message could heighten the division between those who support her husband’s opinions and those who oppose them.
People on both sides of the political aisle profess their love for God and thus, “all things work together for good.” God doesn’t choose sides. Throughout Scripture, God instructs us to love our enemies — not just our neighbors — and to reach out to those from whom we have become alienated. We are to practice empathy and compassion. Romans, 12:15-21 offers such a blueprint:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another … Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ Rather, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink’ …Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.”
In his first letter to Timothy (1:15-17), Paul tells us, “… Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these I am foremost. But for that reason I was mercifully treated …” We are all sinners and acknowledge that fact at every Mass when we ask the Lamb of God to have mercy on us. Mercy is a gift we pay forward. However, mercy can fall by the wayside when we get swept up into profit-driven media outlets — print and digital — that make their money through the accelerants of fear and suspicion.
We build our muscle of mercy through prayer, liturgy and the sacraments of Eucharist and reconciliation. These gifts of our faith are transformative if we embrace them fully and with sincerity that leads to a change of heart. We honor the victims of political violence — and prevent future violence — by taking first steps first, as Erin suggested. “We need to find the good in each other … say something kind about ‘the other side’ … take a collective breath, and stop turning on each other.”
Barb Arland-Fye, Editor
arland-fye@davenportdiocese.org
