US archbishop urges Catholic soldiers to skip the firing squad for Fort Hood shooter. Then he asks why the Pentagon wants to ‘imitate the terrorists’
The spectacle of death.
The U.S. military is currently facing a significant moral challenge regarding the upcoming execution of Nidal Malik Hasan. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees pastoral services for the military, has issued a direct instruction to Catholic soldiers. Fox News reports that Broglio is urging them to request an exemption if they are assigned to the firing squad. This execution is set for 1 PM CST on December 3, at Fort Hood.
This situation follows an unprecedented plan by the Pentagon to livestream the event. The archbishop expressed deep concerns about the potential for moral injury among the soldiers involved. He also questioned the broader impact of such a public display. Archbishop Broglio asked, “Do we really want to imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries?”
Hasan, who is now 56, was convicted for a 2009 mass shooting. That horrific event resulted in the deaths of 13 people and left 32 others wounded. Hasan currently uses a wheelchair after being shot by responding officers during the attack. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has argued that a public execution would serve as a necessary deterrent. He specifically requested that the event occur at the same location and time as the original shooting.
Broglio has questioned the purpose of livestreaming the execution
Archbishop Broglio recalled presiding over the funeral of Michael Grant Cahill. Cahill was the only civilian killed during the attack. Despite his sorrow for the victims, the archbishop remains firm in his opposition to the death penalty. He noted that Hasan’s crime “was heinous, but does exposing the public to his execution serve any purpose?”
Army regulations do allow soldiers to seek religious accommodations. It remains unclear how the military will select personnel for the firing squad. The archbishop warned that the nation’s global reputation could suffer from this plan. He asked, “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?”
The plan has drawn widespread criticism from various religious and political leaders. The Vatican News stated that Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S. bishops conference, expressed “shock” and “great sorrow” over the news.
He called the decision a “barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered.” Coakley also stated that “the public execution even of one who has done grave harm will only further undermine the moral fabric of our nation and be a blight on the conscience of its people.”
Pope Leo had also addressed the issue
During the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the Pope wrote on X, “The death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” The Pope emphasized that justice can be served without resorting to capital punishment. He noted that modern detention systems protect citizens while allowing for the possibility of redemption.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, also weighed in on the controversy. He labeled the proposed broadcast as “truly incomprehensible,” telling reporters that it is “certainly unacceptable to turn death into a spectacle.” According to the Vatican, the death penalty remains incompatible with human dignity regardless of the crime.
President Donald Trump has not yet finalized his decision on whether the livestream will proceed. Reports suggest he has expressed private doubts about broadcasting the execution. Vice President J.D. Vance has also expressed skepticism about the plan. He stated clearly that he would not watch the livestream if it were carried out.
Political figures from both sides have voiced their disapproval as well. Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, criticized the move last week. He remarked, “Public executions are what oppressive dictatorships like Iran and Afghanistan do.” He added that this practice should not be happening in America.
Broglio has been very vocal about his disapproval
The archbishop has emphasized that the dignity of the human person is at stake in this matter. He also requested that people work to keep the livestream away from the eyes of young and impressionable viewers. He compared the request for an exemption to his stance on abortion.
The archbishop believes that the military must maintain its moral standing. He continues to urge those in power to reconsider the entire process. The execution would be the first by firing squad in the U.S. military since 1945. It would also mark the first U.S. military execution of any kind since 1961.
The debate continues as the December date approaches. Many are watching to see if the administration will shift its position. For now, the military faces intense pressure from religious leaders to change course. The outcome will likely have lasting implications for how the U.S. handles capital punishment in the future.
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