Archbishop calls on Catholic soldiers to refuse participation in firing‑squad execution of Nidal Hasan
Archbishop Timothy Broglio called on the U.S. Army to grant religious exemptions to any Catholic soldier assigned to the firing squad for Nidal Hasan’s execution, which is slated for December. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has put forward a proposal to livestream the execution. Broglio raised concerns about the impact on young viewers and noted that while the Army permits religious exemptions, the process for selecting firing‑squad members remains unclear. The proposal has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, religious figures and international observers.
How this was covered
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Why it matters
The issue underscores a clash between religious conscience, military policy and the handling of a high‑profile capital‑punishment case.
How this story developed
- Oct 1 A grim tally of botched executions from hanging mishaps to lethal-injection failures
- Oct 7 Execution date set for Dec 3.
- Oct 8 Pentagon confirmed the execution will be livestreamed.
- Oct 9 The Pentagon will broadcast the execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood gunman, before a firing squad as a public lesson.
- Oct 9 British cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson called the US decision to livestream a firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan "disturbing" and reiterated Britain’s opposition to capital punishment.
- Oct 9 Survivor Alonzo Lunsford voiced support for the execution method while warning that a livestream could be misused.
- Oct 9 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed that the execution will be carried out by firing squad and streamed online.
- Oct 9 Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle confirmed the execution date and firing‑squad method.
- Oct 10 State leaders announced a review of execution methods following the failed lethal injection.
- Oct 11 President Trump said the decision on whether to livestream the execution remains pending.
- Oct 12 Archbishop Timothy Broglio criticized plans to televise a military execution and called on Catholic service members to opt out of any role in it.
- Oct 13 President Trump has signaled hesitation over proceeding with the livestream.
- Oct 13 Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the livestream would not increase security risk.
- Oct 13 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has proposed livestreaming the execution.
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