(LifeSiteNews) — Cardinal Gerhard Müller has responded to the assassination of Charlie Kirk, saying he was “the victim of an atheistic ideology.”
In a recent interview with Catholic journalist Diane Montagna, the former prefect of the Congregation (now Dicastery) for the Doctrine of the Faith said, “Charlie 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.”
“The devil always takes possession of those who hate life and truth,” Cardinal Müller said in apparent reference to Kirk’s killer. “For, according to the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, the devil is a ‘murderer from the beginning’ and the ‘father of lies’ (John 8:44). And only those who hear the words of God are of God (cf. John 8:47).”
“Charlie Kirk was a devout Christian,” the cardinal continued. “From a supernatural perspective, he 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.”
“He 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.’”
Cardinal Müller praised Kirk’s contributions to the pro-life and pro-family cause.
“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,” he stated.
The prelate also acknowledged Kirk’s positive comments regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary shortly before he died.
“By her ‘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,” Cardinal Müller concluded.
