Archbishop of the U.S. military says Catholic soldiers should not serve on firing squad

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees Catholic pastoral services for the U.S. military, has issued a directive stating that Catholic soldiers should not participate in firing squads. The guidance specifically addresses the potential execution of Nidal Hasan, which has been proposed for public livestreaming. Broglio has condemned the plan to broadcast the execution, labeling it inappropriate.

In addition to his opposition to the livestream, the Archbishop has advised Catholic personnel assigned to such firing squads to request to be excused from the duty. This intervention highlights a conflict between military execution protocols and Catholic moral teachings regarding capital punishment and the public spectacle of death.