meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Jesuitical

How should Catholics respond to the murder of Charlie Kirk?

Jesuitical

America Media

Spirituality, Christianity, News, News Commentary, Religion & Spirituality

4.8949 Ratings

🗓️ 19 September 2025

⏱️ 51 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley sits down with Sam Sawyer, S.J., president and editor in chief of America Media, and J.D. Long-Garcia, senior editor for America to respond to the murder of Charlie Kirk. Ashley, Fr. Sawyer and J.D. discuss: - Why this is a difficult (but necessary) conversation - Why people rush to say, "This is terrible, but..." - Significance of the murder in national political life In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Sebastian discussed some more of the reactions in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death from prominent Catholics on both sides of the political aisle, including Pope Leo’s prayers for Kirk and his family.  They also discuss the recent “Grace for the World” concert in St. Peter’s Square and how Pope Leo celebrated his 70th birthday.  Links for further reading:  - Sam’s article: The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination: If we have to look at violence, let’s do it the right way. - Bishops and Catholic leaders call for prayer after conservative activist Charlie Kirk shot and killed - Charlie Kirk, free speech and the danger of politics without God - Pope Leo said he is praying for Charlie Kirk and his family - How Pope Leo plans to govern the church: From Rome to China to Gaza - Pope Leo calls out billionaires and income inequality in first interview You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Why are businesses like HelloVet choosing Apple products and services?

0:04.8

So we started the business two years ago.

0:07.2

We had a few people who were used to PCs and this was their first foray into Macs.

0:12.5

But it's been super smooth getting everyone onto those devices and everyone seems really, really happy.

0:18.0

Find out how Mac can help you run and grow your business at apple.com forward slash

0:23.6

HelloVet.

0:36.6

Hello and welcome to Judge Whitical, a podcast from America Media for saints and sinners.

0:41.4

You can join us each week for honest conversations about the Catholic Church and our world today, sometimes over drinks.

0:47.5

I'm Ashley McInnes, and I'm joined again by Sebastian Goans.

0:51.0

Hey, Ashley, good to be with you again.

0:52.7

I think this is our final week together.

1:12.7

At least for now. At least for now. That is if Zach comes back. He might not. That's still TBD. From what I've seen, he's quite enduring his paternity as he should. And as happy as we are for Zach, we do have a bit of a heavy, poignant conversation this week. I'm sure all of everyone listening to this knows by now about the assassination on September 10th of the conservative activist and

1:20.5

podcaster Charlie Kirk. Yeah, so we decided to bring on some of the senior editorial staff for a conversation.

1:29.1

Actually, you have it with Father Sam Sawyer, who's our editor-in-chief, and J.D. Long-Garcia,

1:34.4

who's a senior editor at America, just to reflect on this from maybe a slightly different perspective

1:42.3

than people might have been seeing primarily on social media

1:45.4

or even on mainline news channels.

1:48.7

This is obviously like a hugely important sociopolitical, you know, event.

1:55.1

But at the same time, there's deep spiritual underpinnings to how we're all processing this.

2:00.6

Yeah.

2:00.9

So I know there are some listeners who probably have maybe only heard about Charlie Kirk recently

2:08.9

or have been following him for a long time and have pretty strong criticisms of his

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from America Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of America Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.