Cardinal Müller calls Charlie Kirk a ‘martyr’ for Christ, rebukes ‘satanic celebration’ of death

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Sep 18, 2025 / 16:57 pm (CNA).

German Catholic Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller referred to Charlie Kirk as “a martyr for Jesus Christ” and condemned the “satanic celebration” of his death by some detractors in an interview published one week after the conservative Christian activist was assassinated.

“From a supernatural perspective, [Kirk] died not as the victim of a political assassination but as a martyr for Jesus Christ — not in the sense of those who are canonized, but as one who bore witness (from the Greek ‘martyros’) through his life,” Müller said in an interview with Rome-based Catholic journalist Diane Montagna, published on Substack on Sept. 17.

“[Kirk] gave his life in following his Lord, as a sacrifice for the truth that man is made in God’s image, male and female, and in opposition to the lies and self-mutilation promoted by so-called ‘trans ideology’ and ‘gender-affirming care,’” Müller continued.

“He upheld and lived in defense of the beauty and sanctity of marriage and family, as ordained by God the Creator, and stood up for the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death,” the German cardinal added.

Kirk, an evangelical Christian, was shot and killed while conversing with students at a Sept. 10 event at Utah Valley University. He was answering a question about transgenderism and gun violence at the time of the shooting. Suspected killer Tyler Robinson is in a romantic relationship with a man who identifies as transgender, who officials say is cooperating with the investigation.

A few months before his death, Kirk said he wanted “to be remembered for courage for my faith.” Kirk was a staunch defender of the right to life for unborn children and an opponent of gender ideology in his activism. He often proclaimed the divinity of Christ to college students and urged them to prioritize God and family above anything else.

Although most public figures condemned Kirk’s assassination, some who opposed his views took to social media to celebrate it. Teachers, professors, health care professionals, a Secret Service employee, and many others have lost their jobs for allegedly publicizing celebratory attitudes about the killing, according to various media reports.

“Kirk was the victim of an atheistic ideology, whose followers erupted in satanic celebration over the heinous murder of an exemplary husband and family man,” Müller said. “The devil always takes possession of those who hate life and truth. For, according to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the devil is a ‘murderer from the beginning’ and the ‘father of lies’ (Jn 8:44). And only those who hear the words of God are of God (cf. John 8:47).”

Even though Kirk was a Protestant, he was seen several times attending Mass at a local Catholic parish with his wife, Erika, who was baptized Catholic. He often spoke positively about Catholics and debated theological disagreements with his Catholic friends, including Vice President JD Vance.

In a podcast earlier this year, Kirk praised faithful Catholics, saying: “They fight for life, they fight for marriage, they fight against transgenderism.”

Kirk during that podcast also said Protestants “under-venerate Mary” and referred to the Blessed Mother as a solution to “fix toxic feminism in America.”

Müller said in the interview that through Mary’s “‘yes’ to the incarnation of God, she became the mother of Jesus, the only redeemer of humanity, who alone delivers us from lies, sin, and death, and all murderous ideologies.”

“We ask the Lord Jesus and holy Mary to bring comfort to Charlie’s wife and children,” Müller said.