WASHINGTON, DC — His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, issued a statement today regarding the proposal to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad.
Archbishop Broglio expressed his disapproval of the proposal, stating, "In addition to supporting and subscribing to the statement by my brothers the Bishops of Texas, it is my duty to express my disapproval of what is proposed regarding the execution of the terrorist Hasan in the Archdiocese entrusted to my spiritual care to be done by those for whose salvation I have been constituted as the Archbishop for the Military Services, USA."
He extended his sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of the Fort Hood attack, emphasizing that the attack disregarded the dignity of human life. He noted, "I had the sad duty of presiding and preaching at the funeral of Michael Grant Cahill, the only civilian killed in that attack."
The Archbishop reiterated the Catholic Church's opposition to capital punishment, referencing the Catechism and Pope Francis's clarifications on the matter, stating, "The dignity of the human person is again at stake."
He questioned the morality of making a public spectacle of the execution, asking, "Do we really want to imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries?" He raised concerns about the potential moral injury to the members of the firing squad and the impact of live-streaming the execution on young viewers, particularly during the 250th anniversary year of U.S. independence.
Archbishop Broglio concluded by calling on all individuals of goodwill to reconsider the decision and requested that measures be taken to limit exposure to the live-streaming of the execution. He stated, "As I would in the case of a procured abortion, I oblige any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the Church."