From the site of the Sisters of Charity of New York. HERE
Sisters of Charity of New York Respond to Cardinal Dolan’s Remarks on Charlie Kirk
Several of us [because that’s all that’s left of you] watched Cardinal Dolan’s recent FOX interview, where he referred to Charlie Kirk as “a modern-day St. Paul.” The Cardinal praised Mr. Kirk’s conviction and willingness to speak about the Lord and for being a model for young people looking for meaning in their lives.
We grieve every loss of life and unequivocally condemn the killing of Mr. Kirk.
What Cardinal Dolan may not have known is that many of Mr. Kirk’s words were marked by [here it comes] racist, homophobic, transphobic, and anti-immigrant [! one wonders how many they have living with them in their ever more empty houses.] rhetoric, by violent pro-gun advocacy, and by the promotion of Christian nationalism. These prejudicial words do not reflect the qualities of a saint. [Which they would know WHAT about?] To compare Mr. Kirk to St. Paul risks confusing the true witness of the Gospel and giving undue sanction to words and actions that hurt the very people Jesus calls us to love.
Just last week, Cardinal Dolan joined us in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the canonization of our Foundress, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Elizabeth’s legacy is not one of exclusion or hatred, but of radical welcome, tireless service, and unwavering love of neighbor. Many of Mr. Kirk’s words stand in stark contrast to the charity and compassion that defined those of Elizabeth Seton.
For generations, the Sisters of Charity of New York have cared for immigrant families arriving with nothing but hope. While our direct service has changed, our commitment to those families endures. They deserve true examples of discipleship, not false prophets.
In this moment, we reaffirm our mission: to walk with all people who are poor and marginalized, to welcome immigrants and refugees, to defend the dignity of LGBTQ+ persons [Imagine my shock!], and to labor for peace in a world saturated with violence. These are the marks of authentic discipleship. These are the qualities of saints.
We urge our Church leadership, including Cardinal Dolan, to lift up witnesses whose lives truly reflect the Gospel of Jesus Christ – lives of humility, justice, compassion, and peace.
We will continue to pray for Mr. Kirk, his family and for all who mourn his loss. [I’ll ask… how exactly, concretely, will you pray for Charlie Kirk and family and ALL who mourn his loss? Really. I’d like to know. What will that prayer look like, sound like. What words – still important now that you made a public promise – will you use? Tell us, Sisters, WHAT is your prayer?]
Leadership Team, Sisters of Charity of New York
Sr. Donna Dodge, Sr. Margaret O’Brien, Sr. Mary Mc Cormick,
Sr. Mary Ann Daly, Sr. Sheila Brosnan, Sr. Margaret Egan 9/24/2025
So… what do you think of this attack on Dolan and Charlie Kirk?
Loading ...
What Charity else?!
They are concerned that he was called a “modern day Paul” but if they actually picked up their Bibles and read them, they’d find the rhetoric style is similar and St. Paul was in many ways like Charlie Kirk and vice versa.
That picture of them says it all. While you might [technically] be a consecrated sister, without a habit, are you truly a sister at all? In my mind, no habit, no sister (or least no sister who is worth listening to).
As I recall, St. Paul was pretty “homophobic” e.g. Romans Chapter 1. He would have probably been “transphobic” if the concept of mutilating the sex organs of children had been in fashion in the 1st Century AD.
I wonder what Charlie Kirk ever said that is considered “racist”? Or do the Marxists just throw that in for good measure.
Those are sisters; nuns? Who can tell? These are probably some of the same group that had james martin as a keynote speaker and question why they are not getting new women ti fill their ranks…wonder why?
The Left is not satisfied of Kirk’s passing yet, the end of his life is not enough, they want to assassinate his character too. I believe they start to realize that he could still do even more good than when he was alive. The fact that these nuns are participating in the witch hunt is sad, but not surprising.
Charlie Kirk never said a word against “generic” immigrants, he only spoke against illegal immigration. He didn’t approve homosexuality, still he had gay friends. He hated pornography, yet he talked to some pornstars in a kind and compassionate way, as they recognized themselves.
He was a man of God, and without being a Catholic (though he married one) he was probably a better Catholic than most of us, including me.
At once both comical and tragic. Their articulated concern for immigrants did not prevent them, and the other congregations which sprouted from them, from committing institutional suicide with their embrace of fraudulent theology and political positions.
Whatever voice they once had has not existed since they deliberately abandoned any semblance of authentic religious life in the sixties. The fact that they primarily live now in nursing homes and to the best of my knowledge the New York congregation no longer accepts candidates. The New Jersey Sisters of Charity are in no better shape and the Sisters of Charity in South Carolina are down to twelve. The unwillingness of these congregations to learn from the new and flourishing communities such as the Dominicans of St. Cecilia is a verdict they have brought upon themselves.
Given their current state, they don’t have much to offer about anything.
Another proof that Charlie was wise to name his organization “Turning Point.”
It reminds me of how the ever-growing-older Sisters of Mt. Scholastica (Benedictine) in Kansas behaved when Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker spoke at Benedictine College’s commencement. I understand why Cardinal Dolan referred to Charlie Kirk as a modern day St. Paul, but I personally would not have used those words. To compare him as a modern day Socrates or as another Greek philosopher? Sure. As for the sisters defaming Charlie Kirk, it is despicable. They are showing their true colors to be more political than spiritual or religious.
Because it’s all about them. Charlie Kirk died with a microphone, in his hand not a gun.
“In this moment, we reaffirm our mission: to… These are the marks of authentic discipleship. These are the qualities of saints.”
Ah yes, mentioning how saintly one is. That’s definitely what the saints do. /s
“Bless them, Father; for they know not what they do”
I have never heard of the Sisters of Charity (I thought this article was about Mother Teresa’s sisters). But leftists evangelize the revolution as they breathe. 24/7, it just comes out. And they are usually very nice people. My question is, what would anyone say to this if you heard it spoken to your face in (let’s say) a normal workday when you weren’t even thinking about current news? I don’t have Charlie Kirk’s heroism, I don’t want to engage in argument at a moment’s notice. To nod and smile and move away, looks weak. Do we just make the sign of the cross and then move on perhaps?
The sisters’ letter was a one-off thing. Friendly, leftist evangelization occurs daily. I’m interested in what other people do to stand their ground in some way. Sometimes I just hope my St. Benedict’s medal speaks for me.
It is depressing and a mystery to me that people whose role is to be fully Catholic can be committed to a secular leftist ideology that at its root is opposed to Catholicism.
I am more convinced than ever that the One, Holy, Roman, Catholic Church will only be saved from leftists such as this is when, in the words of St. John Paul II, we are “reduced to just twelve again.”
“While our direct service has changed…” sounds a bit like an admission that this once-great order doesn’t actually do any works of mercy anymore.
This seems a strange thing to put in a message intended for scolding a cardinal. Almost as though the voice of conscience cannot be silenced, even here.
I would hazard a guess that when this order was actually doing good they did not have a “Leadership Team.”
I am good friends with several Orders of Traditional Nuns. They all follow the Benedictine Tradition , work and prayer. They are all in full habit. Every hour of their day is regulated. They are the most wonderful, intelligent, holy Nuns with a great sense of humor. I say that they are some of my best friends but not my buddies. I always give them the respect of being Brides of Christ. After some conversation I say goodbye as to not appear too familiar.
The have taught some of my children and grandchildren.
I have done work for some NO Nuns living in apartments/ not Convents. They wear matching sweats, no vails. A whole different experience.
I agree with TomGrelinger above.
Cardinal Dolan was right to praise Charlie Kirk for his apostolic zeal and great success. But it is almost always a small blunder to compare contemporary people to the greatest of saints and Apostles.
It almost invites the knee-jerk reaction of silly minded critics, as we have seen. Do the Sisters really think Mother Seton would approve of homosexual behavior?
St Ignatius Loyola wrote in his Rules for Thinking With the Church:
“Twelfth Rule. We ought to be on our guard in making comparison of those of us who are alive to the blessed passed away, because error is committed not a little in this; that is to say, in saying, this one knows more than St. Augustine; he is another, or greater than, St. Francis; he is another St. Paul in goodness, holiness, etc.”
But this is just a mild criticism of Cardinal Dolan’s choice of words. It is “dust on the scales” in comparison to the weird letter of the Sisters of Charity.
I would challenge these good women to turn off CNN and pick 12 of Charlie’s full videos. If they can find evidence that he was guilty of the crimes they accuse him of committing, I will eat my hat.
Can I bet somebody…they have never seen ONE Charlie Kirk video. NOT ONE.
And they are equally unfamiliar with the 8th commandment.
Oh no! Not… Christian nationalism! Anything but the idea that we are, and ought to be, a Christian nation!
Bring on the reconquista!
Dear Fr. Z,
I thought it was funny how you asked the sisters what words they would use to pray for Charlie Kirk. It’s kind of a different take on “What Does the Prayer Really Say,” but one that is necessary in this sad case.
We have a larger number of people seeking OCIA at our parish this year as does a neighboring parish. More than a few of these people said the reason they are coming to the Church now is due to Charlie Kirk. I am seeing similar stories in various media all over the country. I doubt anyone has come to the Church due to these nuns and that’s really quite sad.
Like the previous poster, I often cite St Ignatius of Loyola’s 12th Rule for Thinking With the Church regarding hyperbolic praise.
The Sister’s accusations lack both truth and (ironically) charity.
They further failed to observe another basic principle: De Mortuis, Nil Nisi Bonum.