US military archbishop advises Catholic soldiers to seek exemption from execution involvement

<p>Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees Catholic pastoral services for the military, stated that Catholics serving in the Army should request to be excused from participating in the planned firing squad execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, a convicted mass shooter from Fort Hood. The Pentagon has proposed to livestream the execution, which is set for December 3 at 1 p.m. CST.</p><p>Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist, was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 others during a shooting at Fort Hood in 2009. He is currently 56 years old and uses a wheelchair after being shot by responding officers during the attack. If carried out, Hasan's execution would be the first by firing squad in the U.S. military since 1945 and the first military execution by any method since 1961.</p><p>Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has argued that making the execution public would serve as a deterrent. Broglio expressed concern about the implications of broadcasting the execution, questioning whether it would imitate terrorist actions by making a public spectacle of the execution.</p><p>He recalled presiding over the funeral of one of Hasan's victims, Michael Grant Cahill, the only civilian killed in the attack, and expressed sorrow over the incident. Broglio stated, "I oblige any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the Church." Army regulations allow soldiers to seek religious exemptions or accommodations.</p><p>Broglio's comments align with criticism from other Catholic leaders regarding the Pentagon's plans. Archbishop Paul Coakley, head of the U.S. bishops conference, expressed shock and sorrow about the public execution plan, stating that it promotes a culture of death and undermines the moral fabric of the nation. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, called the proposed broadcast "truly incomprehensible" and warned against turning death into a spectacle.</p><p>Parolin reiterated the Church’s opposition to the death penalty, stating it is incompatible with human dignity and does not serve as a deterrent. Pope Leo XIV also emphasized the inadmissibility of the death penalty in a recent social media post, highlighting that justice can be achieved without capital punishment.</p><p>President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to allow the livestream plan to proceed, although he has reportedly expressed doubts about it. Vice President JD Vance also expressed skepticism regarding the public execution and stated he would not watch the livestream if it occurred. Several lawmakers, including Republicans, have voiced opposition to the plans, with Senator Thom Tillis stating that public executions are characteristic of oppressive regimes.</p><p><i>Reuters contributed to this report.</i></p>