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Illustrative image of a sandbag bunker showcasing military defensive structures.
US Archbishop Urges Catholic Soldiers to Refuse Role in Hasan Execution
WASHINGTON — October 12, 2026
A senior US Catholic archbishop has urged Catholic soldiers to seek exemption from participating in the planned firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former US Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees the spiritual care of Catholic members of the US armed forces, also questioned the plan to livestream the execution, warning that it could turn a state punishment into a public spectacle.
In a strongly worded statement on Monday, Broglio said the proposed broadcast raised serious moral concerns. He recalled conducting the funeral of one of Hasan's victims and condemned the original shooting, but questioned whether publicly broadcasting an execution was appropriate for the United States.
Broglio called on Catholic personnel assigned to the firing squad to request that they be excused, saying participation would conflict with Catholic Church teaching. US Army regulations allow soldiers to seek religious exemptions or accommodations, although the military has not yet explained how it will select the personnel responsible for carrying out the execution.
The debate intensified after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans last week to livestream Hasan's execution in December. The proposal has drawn criticism from religious leaders, Republican lawmakers and international observers, while President Donald Trump has said he approved the execution by firing squad but is still deciding whether the broadcast should go ahead.
The proposed livestream would be unprecedented in modern US history. Death penalty experts cited in the report say no government execution has ever been broadcast or livestreamed in the country. The US military has also not carried out an execution by firing squad since 1945.
Hasan, now 56, was convicted over the November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood that killed 13 people and wounded 31 others. He was shot by police during his arrest and now uses a wheelchair.
Hegseth has said he wants the execution to take place at the same time, on the same day of the week and at the same location as Hasan's shooting spree. He has argued that making the execution public could deter similar acts of violence.
Broglio questioned whether officials had considered how a livestream might affect young viewers. He also warned that broadcasting the execution of a man who uses a wheelchair could damage the reputation of the US military by making it appear to engage in the kind of public violence associated with terrorist groups.
The archbishop issued his statement shortly after meeting Pope Leo in Rome on Monday. The pope has previously clashed with Trump and Pentagon officials over several issues, including the war in Iran. On Saturday, Leo condemned the death penalty without referring specifically to Hasan's case.
US Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism, has also addressed the proposal. Vance said he would not watch the execution if it were ultimately livestreamed.
The dispute raises questions about the military's approach to capital punishment, the religious obligations of service members and the public presentation of executions. Whether the planned broadcast will proceed remains undecided, according to Trump.
