Honoring Charlie Kirk’s Legacy in Poland and Europe

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The shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, one of America’s eminent conservative pro-life and political activists, at the hands of an ideologically motivated killer (Tyler Robinson), signifies a bleak moment not only for pro-life conservatives in the United States (US), but also for pro-life advocates globally, including those in Poland and Europe. 

A Tragic Loss for the Pro-Life Movement

Kirk, who was shot and murdered during an address at Utah Valley University, was a tireless voice in defense of unborn lives, rejecting all exceptions and asserting that abortion was “worse than the Holocaust”. Moreover, his abrupt death reflects the increasing political divides and rising violence faced by many, including pro-life conservatives, in the West at the moment. Kirk’s killing undoubtedly unravels the numerous risks (that could be fatal) when abortion debates become increasingly politicized and linked to violent extremism, particularly on the side of pro-abortion supporters. Kirk’s assassination demonstrates the importance of respectful and peaceful pro-life (and conservative in general) advocacy efforts (something that Kirk himself was known for), even as pro-life conservatives rightfully feel that their cause is under cultural and spiritual siege from the Left. 

As the US grapples with deep political polarization, Poland’s pro-life community, while passionate and politically involved, should take extra caution to prevent the escalation of rhetoric into physical violence and maintain respectful and peaceful advocacy efforts at the local, regional, and national levels. An uncompromising defense of life, along with efforts to proactively engage members of the general public in thinking critically about claims made by pro-abortion lobbyists, has to avoid virulent confrontation but involve peaceful education and conversations. 

While mourning Kirk’s death, pro-life advocates can increase efforts to educate society about the value of life, the importance of family stability, and the risks of political extremism with various educational initiatives, public forums, as well as media outreach to debunk misinformation about abortion and life issues. Poland’s current network of Catholic and civic organizations can spearhead such initiatives to build a long-lasting culture of life, hope, and respect not only in Poland itself but also in Europe, where the tiny island of Malta is the only other country that protects the right to life from conception.

The Christian Roots of Pro-Life Advocacy

Furthermore, Kirk’s staunch biblical beliefs that influenced his political activism and pro-life stance also remind Polish pro-life conservatives of the intertwined relationship between Christianity and pro-life advocacy, also a dynamic deeply entrenched in Poland, a country with a predominantly Catholic population and where the Catholic Church still remains a potent socio-cultural and religious force influencing debates on life and death matters, which is no longer the case in most other European countries. 

Although Kirk was not a Roman Catholic (at least publicly), his pro-life and pro-family views were greatly shaped by his Christian beliefs that life begins at conception and must be safeguarded at all costs, in all circumstances. Notably, Kirk frequently castigated abortion as the unjust taking of innocent human life, using words like “murder” to lambast the practice. For Kirk, pro-life activism was not merely an expression of political opinions; rather, such activism was a spiritual battle underscoring the battle between good (the defense of all human lives) and evil (abortion). Just as Kirk dismissed the contrived separation of Christianity and public witness,  pro-life advocates can also redouble their efforts to pave the way for a strong Christian foundation for law and culture in Poland, despite the insidious secular and anti-life pressures from the Donald Tusk regime and left-wing ideologues.

Admittedly, Kirk’s Christian-inspired, morally absolute stance regarding human life provided his pro-life (and conservative) cause great spiritual clarity. Taking a leaf out of Kirk’s playbook, Polish pro-life conservatives can likewise fortify their cause and strengthen their pastoral approach towards tackling the matter of abortion, using the rich heritage and teachings about life from Poland’s Catholic heritage.

A Model of Courage for Europe

Notwithstanding vitriolic criticism from many on the Left, Kirk unflinchingly promoted traditional Christian values regarding life and the family, such as encouraging his audiences to get married and have children, all the way to the day of his death. His unyielding witness in defense of the truth and life provides a courageous model for pro-life advocates and conservatives in Tusk’s Poland and across the Old Continent, amid legal harassment, political crackdowns, and cultural hostility from ideologues and some mainstream media outlets. Undeniably, the battle for life in Poland (as in elsewhere), necessitates unrelenting perseverance nourished by prayer, a robust legal framework, community support and networks, as well as the strengthening of the culture of life in Polish society, with the goal of its renewal in other European countries over the long term. 

Poland’s pro-life advocates—such as those at the Ordo Iuris Institute, which has been labeled “far right” and “Christian fundamentalist” by the European Parliament for its resolute defense of the right to life from conception—are well-positioned to influence legislation and policy not only on pro-life safeguards but also on the protection of the traditional family. Institutions like Ordo Iuris can work to hold authorities accountable in their policies as well as uphold justice and dignity for all human lives, highlighting the rule of law over partisan squabbles.  By adopting such attitudes, Poland’s pro-life and pro-family communities can honor the memory of Charlie Kirk while beefing up their own cause and contributing to a more respectful and cohesive society amid an increasingly hostile political landscape. 

Angeline Tan is a Catholic journalist specializing in pro-life advocacy, politics, and sociocultural issues. With a background in international relations, she describes herself as “passionate about promoting the social kingship of Christ the King, Marian devotion, and the sanctity of all human life.” Her work has appeared in outlets such as Live Action, LifeSiteNews, AsiaNews, The Remnant, and Brussels Signal.

Source of cover photo: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons