Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
US archbishop urges Catholic soldiers to avoid planned Hasan execution
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees spiritual care for Catholic members of the US armed forces, urged Catholic soldiers not to join the firing squad planned to execute Nidal Hasan.
Hasan killed 13 people in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, and was shot by police during his arrest.
He is now 56 and uses a wheelchair.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has proposed livestreaming the execution in December, saying a public event could deter similar attacks.
The plan has drawn objections from religious leaders, lawmakers and other critics, who have raised ethical concerns and questioned its effect on young viewers and the US military’s reputation.
The US Army allows soldiers to seek religious accommodations, but it has not said how it will choose the firing squad.
President Donald Trump has approved Hasan’s execution by firing squad but is still deciding whether to allow the livestream.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio urged Catholics in the US armed forces to seek exemption from a planned firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan.
Broglio said taking part would violate Catholic teaching and questioned the plan to livestream the killing.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the livestream plan, saying a public execution could deter similar acts.
Hasan killed 13 people in a 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, and is now wheelchair-bound.
President Donald Trump approved Hasan’s execution by firing squad but was still deciding whether to allow the livestream.
- Who
- Archbishop Timothy Broglio urged Catholic service members to seek exemption from the firing squad.
- What
- The US plans to execute Nidal Hasan by firing squad; a proposed livestream has drawn criticism.
- When
- The execution is planned for December 3, according to Al Jazeera. The sources do not state the year.
- Where
- The plan is for the execution to take place at the time and location of Hasan’s 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas.
- Why
- Hegseth said a public execution could serve as a deterrent. Broglio said participation would be contrary to Catholic teaching.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Purpose of public broadcast
Archbishop Timothy Broglio
Broglio questioned the value of broadcasting the execution and said it could harm the military’s reputation.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Hegseth said making the event public would help people understand the serious consequences of such acts.
Participation by Catholic service members
Archbishop Timothy Broglio
Broglio urged Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request exemption because participation would violate Church teaching.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
Hegseth described using military members to carry out the execution; the sources do not state his view on religious exemptions.
Nidal Hasan killed 13 people in a shooting attack at Fort Hood, Texas.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans to livestream Hasan’s planned execution.
Pope Leo condemned the death penalty without referring specifically to Hasan’s case.
Broglio issued a statement urging Catholic service members assigned to the firing squad to seek exemption.
The execution is planned for this date, according to Al Jazeera.
- Hasan’s attack
- 13 people killed at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009
- Planned method
- Firing squad
- Proposed livestream date
- December 3
- Archbishop
- Timothy Broglio
- Hasan’s age
- 56
- Last US military firing squad execution
- 1945
What people are saying
I oblige any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request to be excused from this action contrary to the teaching of the Church.
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.
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?
The planned broadcast of the taking of a life by firing squad is nothing short of performative barbarism.
Sources
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