US Archbishop Urges Catholic Military Members to Avoid Participation in Livestreamed Execution

Archbishop Timothy Broglio has urged Catholics in the US armed forces not to participate in a planned public execution by firing squad, stating that it contradicts church teachings. Broglio issued a statement on Monday expressing concerns about the US military's plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former army major responsible for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 people. "I oblige any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the Church," Broglio said. He questioned whether the US intends to "imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries." The execution is scheduled for December 3, as announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who described the livestreaming as a deterrent. Hegseth stated, "We’ll make sure that people are able to watch it, that it’s public, because people need to understand that there are serious consequences for these types of things." This proposal has faced criticism from lawmakers, rights groups, and others who argue that a publicly broadcast execution is unethical and could be used for anti-US propaganda. Hasan, now 56 and wheelchair-bound after being shot during the Fort Hood attack, could become a symbol for hostile armed groups if his death is livestreamed. Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago also condemned the livestreaming plan, calling capital punishment unacceptable and questioning the impact on children. Hegseth noted that the last military execution by firing squad occurred in 1945. Broglio expressed concern that broadcasting the execution could damage the US military's reputation abroad, stating, "Is there really a value to throwing them in the same boat with terrorists by broadcasting the image of the execution of a man in a wheelchair to the whole world?" Pope Leo also condemned the death penalty, stating that it attacks the dignity of the person and that justice can be achieved without capital punishment. President Donald Trump, who approved Hasan's execution, has not yet decided on the livestreaming. He mentioned the potential benefits of showing the execution to deter similar actions. Trump has advocated for the increased use of the federal death penalty during his presidency.