US Archbishop Urges Catholic Soldiers to Refuse Participation in Firing Squad Executions

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the United States has implored Catholic members of the armed forces to abstain from participating in a planned execution by firing squad, asserting that such involvement contradicts the Church's teachings. In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, Broglio articulated several concerns regarding the US military's intention to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, a former army major responsible for the 2009 shooting attack at Fort Hood, Texas, which claimed 13 lives.

“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 stated. He further questioned whether the US aims to “imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries.”

The plan to broadcast the execution, scheduled for December 3, was announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who framed the livestream as a deterrent. “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,” Hegseth told Real America’s Voice. However, the proposal has drawn criticism from lawmakers, rights groups, and various critics who argue that a publicly broadcast execution is not only unethical but could also be exploited as anti-American propaganda.

Hasan, currently 56 years old, was wounded by police during the 2009 Fort Hood incident and is now a wheelchair user. Concerns have been raised that livestreaming his death might transform him into a symbol for groups hostile to the US. Cardinal Blase J Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago, also denounced the livestream plan in a social media post on Monday, questioning the example it would set for children. “Capital punishment is unacceptable in any case,” he wrote. “The planned broadcast of the taking of a life by firing squad is nothing short of performative barbarism. Do we really want our children, who will inevitably view it, exposed to the pornography of a state-sponsored slaying?”

Hegseth expressed a desire for the execution to occur at the same time and location as the 2009 shooting, emphasizing the use of military personnel to carry out the death penalty. He noted, “It hadn’t been since World War II since we’ve done that. Well, I kind of like the mentality we had in World War II, which was win.” The last US military execution by firing squad was that of Eddie Slovik in 1945, convicted of desertion. In his statement, Broglio also questioned the rationale of having service members on camera for Hasan’s execution, suggesting it could damage the US military's international image. “The US military generally enjoys a good reputation in the world,” Broglio wrote. “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 wheel chair to the whole world?”

Pope Francis, without specifically referencing Hasan's case, issued a statement on Saturday condemning the death penalty. “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person,” he posted on social media. “The common good can be safeguarded and the requirements of justice can be met without recourse to capital punishment: effective systems of detention have been developed that protect citizens while at the same time do not completely deprive those who are guilty of the possibility of redemption.”

President Donald Trump, who approved a significant increase in federal executions during his presidency, has authorized Hasan's execution. However, he indicated on Saturday that a decision on livestreaming had not yet been made. “There are two thoughts: Don’t show it and show it. Because, you know, by showing it, maybe other people won’t be doing what he did,” Trump told reporters. “I’ll make a decision.” Trump has advocated for expanded use of the federal death penalty since the start of his second term and approved additional execution methods, including firing squads, in April. He has previously proposed the death penalty for offenses ranging from drug trafficking to sedition.