Archbishop urges Catholics to avoid Hasan’s firing squad execution

In a move that has stirred significant debate, a senior U.S. Catholic leader has urged Catholic soldiers not to participate in the execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad, an event that is planned to be livestreamed by the Pentagon in December. This unprecedented decision to broadcast such an execution has drawn criticism from various quarters.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who is responsible for the spiritual guidance of Catholic members in the U.S. armed forces, has vocally opposed the plan. He questions whether mimicking the actions of terrorists by making a public spectacle of executions aligns with the values the U.S. seeks to uphold. Broglio, who officiated at the funeral of one of Hasan’s victims, expressed his concerns in a strongly worded statement.

Broglio stated, “I oblige any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the Church.” U.S. Army regulations permit soldiers to seek religious exemptions, though the Army has not yet disclosed how firing squad members will be chosen.

Controversy Surrounding Livestream Plans

The decision to livestream the execution was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, leading to significant backlash from various groups including Republicans, religious leaders, and international observers. Although President Donald Trump has approved Hasan’s execution, he remains undecided about the livestream.

Broadcasting a government execution is unprecedented in the U.S., where the military has not employed a firing squad since 1945. Hasan, who was wounded during his arrest and now uses a wheelchair, was convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.

Hegseth has defended the decision, suggesting that the public nature of the execution could serve as a deterrent. He proposed staging the execution at the same time and place as Hasan’s crime.

Archbishop Broglio challenged the potential impact of such a broadcast on young viewers, suggesting it could undermine the U.S. military’s reputation. He queried the value of associating the military with terrorist acts by broadcasting the image of a man in a wheelchair being executed globally.

Broglio’s statement coincided with his meeting in Rome with Pope Leo, who has previously clashed with Trump on issues such as the Iran war and recently condemned the death penalty without specifically addressing the Hasan case.

Vice President JD Vance, himself a Catholic convert, has stated that he would abstain from watching the execution if it is livestreamed.