CNN’s Michael Smerconish on Monday commended Erika Kirk for her speech at the Sunday memorial service for her slain husband, Charlie Kirk.
Erika Kirk forgave alleged assassin Tyler Robinson during her speech, saying her husband would not respond with hatred. When host Brianna Keilar asked Smerconish on “CNN News Central” what aspects of the memorial service made him hopeful, he cited Erika Kirk’s forgiveness and said her remarks were “very valuable.”
“I don’t know that I could do it, but Erika Kirk — as a person of faith, I wrestle with this whole idea of forgiveness … I thought that she was really someone who rose to the occasion under enormous emotional stress and said a lot of very valuable things,” Smerconish said.
During her emotional speech, Erika Kirk recounted the Biblical account of Jesus Christ on the cross forgiving those who crucified him.
“On the cross, our Savior said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,’” Erika Kirk said, choking up. “That man, that young man … I forgive him.”
The audience broke out in applause and emotion for about 45 seconds as she broke down in tears.
“I forgive him because it is what Christ did. It is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate,” Erika Kirk said. “The answer we know from the gospel is love, and always all. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Before expressing forgiveness for the alleged assassin, Erika Kirk explained to a capacity crowd that filled up State Farm Stadium why her husband toured college campuses.
“Charlie passionately wanted to reach and save the lost boys of the west, the young men who feel like they have no direction, no purpose, no faith and no reason to live,” Erika Kirk said, choking up at times. “The men wasting their lives on distractions and the men consumed with resentment, anger and hate.”
“Charlie wanted to help them. He wanted them to have a home with Turning Point USA, and when he went onto campus, he was looking to show them a better path and, a better life that was right there for the taking,” she added. “He wanted to show them now. My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life.”
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