Catholic members of the Army are being encouraged to request exemption from participating in the upcoming execution of a convicted mass shooter at Fort Hood, a suggestion made by a high-ranking U.S. archbishop responsible for military Catholic pastoral services. Archbishop Timothy Broglio voiced multiple concerns regarding the Pentagon’s unusual proposition to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, who, as a former Army psychiatrist, was found guilty of murdering 13 individuals and injuring 32 others during a 2009 shooting spree at Fort Hood.
Hasan, now aged 56, is wheelchair-bound, a condition stemming from being shot by law enforcement during the incident.
According to the U.S. Army, Hasan is set to face execution on December 3 at 1 p.m. CST, making him the first individual executed by firing squad in U.S. military history since 1945. Additionally, this will be the first military execution of any kind in the U.S. since 1961.
Pentagon leader Pete Hegseth has indicated that he believes having soldiers execute Hasan on the same day and at the same time as the original shooting might serve as a deterrent, arguing for the public nature of the execution.
Reflecting on his experiences, Broglio recalled officiating the funeral of one of Hasan’s victims, Michael Grant Cahill, who was the sole civilian casualty in the attack. He expressed deep sorrow over the tragic events and raised questions about the moral implications of broadcasting an execution. “Does the government want to mirror the actions of terrorists and create a public spectacle around the violent death of our adversaries?” he pondered.
He continued to ask whether public exposure to Hasan’s execution would serve any constructive purpose, stating, “It seems to be contrary to the teachings of the Church.” He urged any Catholic soldiers selected for the firing squad to seek an exemption based on their beliefs.
Current Army regulations allow troops to request religious exemptions or accommodations, but it remains uncertain how the military plans to choose those who will participate in the execution.
Broglio pointed out that the U.S. military, which generally maintains a positive global reputation, should not be positioned in the same context as terrorists by publicly broadcasting the execution of a disabled man.
This proposal has sparked significant criticism from both political and religious figures, as no U.S. government execution has ever been publicly broadcast. Broglio is not alone in voicing disapproval; other Catholic leaders, including Archbishop Paul Coakley, have also condemned the livestream plan. Coakley shared his shock and sorrow, emphasizing the need for reconsideration of what he termed a barbaric decision that could worsen the moral decline in society.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, described the proposal as “truly incomprehensible,” cautioning against the transformation of death into a form of entertainment. He expressed, “There are certainly alternative means to address justice that do not involve such a spectacle.”
Parolin elaborated on the Church’s strong stance against the death penalty, highlighting its incompatibility with human dignity and its ineffectiveness as a deterrent.
Pope Leo XIV has reiterated the Church’s opposition to capital punishment in a message marking World Day Against the Death Penalty, underscoring that the death penalty is an affront to personal dignity. He stated, “The common good can be preserved, and justice can be maintained without resorting to capital punishment.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump mentioned on Saturday that he hasn’t made a definitive decision about proceeding with the livestream plan, though there are indications he may have reservations about publicizing the execution.
Vice President JD Vance, who identifies as Catholic, expressed doubts that the Pentagon will follow through with the public execution and stated he would not watch the event if it occurred.
Numerous lawmakers, including some Republicans, have criticized the idea of broadcasting the execution. Senator Thom Tillis argued that public executions are characteristic of oppressive regimes and should not take place in America.
