US archbishop says Catholics in army should not participate in firing squad

Key Points:

• Archbishop Timothy Broglio has urged Catholic members of the US armed forces to refuse participation in the planned public execution of Nidal Hasan by firing squad, citing church teachings against capital punishment.
• The US military plans to livestream Hasan’s execution on December 3, a move announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who described it as a deterrent and a public demonstration of consequences for violent crimes.
• The proposal has faced significant backlash from religious leaders, lawmakers, and rights groups who argue that broadcasting the execution is unethical, could serve as anti-US propaganda, and may glorify violence to hostile groups.
• Cardinal Blase J Cupich condemned the livestream as "performative barbarism," expressing concern about exposing children to state-sponsored killing, while Pope Leo reaffirmed the church’s stance that the death penalty is inadmissible.
• President Donald Trump, who authorized Hasan’s execution and expanded federal death penalty methods including firing squads, has yet to decide whether the execution will be livestreamed, weighing the potential deterrent effect against ethical concerns.