Military Archbishop Says Catholic Soldiers Should Not Take Part in Firing-Squad Execution

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, criticized plans for the firing-squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Broglio cited Catholic teaching that the death penalty is inadmissible and urged clemency, including in cases involving grave crimes. His remarks came after the Pentagon said it planned to publicly livestream the execution. The military’s chief Catholic chaplain also said Catholic soldiers should not be required to serve on the firing squad.