Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees the Catholic Church’s pastoral care for members of the U.S. military, has asked Catholic soldiers assigned to the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan to request to be excused from that duty. Broglio made the appeal after condemning plans to livestream the execution, which is scheduled for Dec. 3, according to The Associated Press.
Hasan is an Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people in a 2009 attack at Fort Hood in Texas. He is set to be executed by firing squad, and military officials plan to broadcast the execution, the AP reported.
Archbishop’s Request For Catholic Soldiers
Broglio told Catholic service members that taking part in the firing squad conflicts with church teaching. He said soldiers in that position should formally ask to be excused rather than carry out the order, according to the AP.
Broglio did not dispute the severity of Hasan’s crime. “The crime committed by Hasan was heinous, but does exposing the public to his execution serve any purpose?” he said, according to the AP.
He also raised concerns about broadcasting the image of a man in a wheelchair being put to death, comparing the planned livestream to the tactics of extremist groups. “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?” Broglio said.
What The Objection Means For Catholic Service Members
Broglio’s statement puts Catholic soldiers who could be tapped for firing squad duty in a position to weigh military orders against church guidance. His comments frame participation in the execution, and its planned broadcast, as a matter of conscience rather than routine duty. The AP reported that other Catholic leaders have joined Broglio in speaking out against both the death penalty in this case and the decision to livestream it.
Background On The Hasan Case
Hasan’s conviction stems from the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, where he killed 13 people. He has remained in military custody in the years since. The Dec. 3 execution date and the plan to livestream it have drawn renewed attention to the case, according to the AP, prompting Broglio’s public statement this week.
What Comes Next
The execution remains scheduled for Dec. 3. It is not known whether any Catholic soldiers assigned to the firing squad have requested to be excused, and details about the logistics of the planned livestream have not been made public. Total Apex Entertainment will follow developments as the date approaches.
For more on church leadership and current religious news, see coverage of Pope Leo’s Vatican meeting on family ministry and the Supreme Court case on a Kentucky church shrine.
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