Cardinal criticised for funeral mass for US activist Charlie Kirk

Following a funeral mass for the murdered right-wing nationalist US activist Charlie Kirk, Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka has been criticised. According to Radio Prague's English service, a number of Catholics and non-Catholics criticised Duka for organising a service for the controversial political activist in the first place.

Demonstrators outside the church had labelled Kirk a "fascist, racist and sexist". Honouring such people is wrong. Others had criticised the service as an act with an inappropriate political dimension.

Scuffle between fans and opponents

According to Czech media, several hundred people attended the funeral mass in Prague's Teyn Church. Some politicians were also among them. Critics of the slain activist had gathered outside the church with banners and greeted Duka with shouts of protest such as "Shame". Immediately before the service, there was also a scuffle between Kirk's opponents and supporters.

In an initial reaction, Duka emphasised that he had not known Kirk before his murder. The cardinal condemned the murder and at the same time emphasised that Kirk should not be glorified as a saint. (KNA)