Father Gerald Murray credits Charlie Kirk for inspiring young people to return to church

WASHINGTON, DC: Months after conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was killed at a rally in Utah, Father Gerald Murray praised him for inspiring young people to return to church.

The pastor of St Joseph’s Church in New York said on Friday that he is encouraged by the growing number of young adults reconnecting with their faith.

Gerald Murray expresses happiness at seeing more young people, credits Charlie Kirk

Father Gerald Murray said on Friday, December 26, that he is happy to see more young people returning to church.

Speaking to Newsmax, the pastor of St Joseph’s Church in New York credited the late conservative leader Charlie Kirk for helping inspire this change.

Murray reacted to a new Barna study that found Generation Z and millennials now attend church more regularly than older generations for the first time in decades.

He said, "It's the grace of God, of course, because he moves hearts and souls, but then he has these instruments on earth, such as Charlie Kirk."

Murray explained, "His heinous murder woke people up to say that someone who is focusing young people's attention on the eternal truths and questioning, you know, How am I supposed to live?" He said Kirk taught that the United States was founded on Christian values and respect for God’s law.

"And he very clearly was teaching that this is a country founded on Christian principles, in which we respect other people and we, you know, follow the law of God."

Murray added that he feels encouraged as a priest to see people returning to church. He said true peace for the soul comes from faith, adding that everything else leads people in the wrong direction.

"We try to create a society that's based on divine justice. Murray said he was pleased so many people were coming back to church. As a priest, I can tell you, the only piece of soul that you get is what comes from heaven. Everything else is a false trail."

JD Vance and Trump praise Charlie Kirk at AmericaFest 2025

Gerald Murray was not the only one to praise Charlie Kirk, Vice President JD Vance and President Donald Trump also honored Kirk recently at AmericaFest 2025. Vance attended the event on Sunday, December 21, where he spoke about Kirk’s influence and the responsibility people now carry after his death.

Vance told the audience, "Let me just say the best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie's death that he himself refused to do in life. He invited all of us here."

Vance also shared personal memories, saying he missed Kirk’s optimism, energy, and strategic conversations.

He said, "I miss his optimism. I miss his energy. I miss the phone calls where we'd strategize about how to get this or that GOP congressman to get off their ass and do something. But most of all, I miss Charlie's wisdom. I miss his reminder that politics is not a dress rehearsal or a game."

Vance added, "We are making decisions that will save our country and give the American people a shot at their dreams again."

The event also featured a pre-recorded tribute video honoring Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA.

In the video, President Trump described Kirk as an “incredible patriot” and a “warrior for God and country.” Trump said his administration would continue fighting for the values Kirk believed in. “He was a fantastic person. Every day in my administration, we will keep on fighting for Charlie and the country.”