The news channels continue to be primarily focused on the Charlie Kirk murder and the expressions of hatred and ugliness that have grown from that terrible event. I have some suggestions that might help us navigate this difficult topic. Take them for what they are worth. I am no expert in anything.
    
First of all, Charlie Kirk is dead. There is no purpose in attacking him or defending him. There is nothing that any of us can do for or to him. My personal preference is that we give this whole matter a few days, at least until after he is buried, for any more negative attacks on him, no matter what we might feel about him.  

Then, after he has been buried, let us argue about what we support or oppose in his ideas and teachings, not him as a person. Engage his ideas. There has been a tendency to either canonize him or to demonize him. Neither of these is helpful. Charlie’s challenge to those who disagreed with him was, “Prove me wrong.” Again, engage the arguments, not the man. He can no longer defend himself, so let’s end any personal attacks.
    
One contradiction that disturbs me is that Charlie Kirk is held up to us as a great defender of free speech and yet, if anyone expresses disagreement or criticism of him, many of his followers demand that they be fired or cancelled. This is exactly the opposite of what Charlie Kirk would have said and done. Let’s end the cancel culture and defend the right of all people to speak freely, even if what they are saying is offensive to us.
—Fr. Mike Comer