Broglio Urges Catholic Soldiers to Refuse Dec. 3 Hasan Firing Squad Duty

Q: Will the military grant religious exemptions to Catholic soldiers ordered to join the upcoming firing squad?

It is unclear, and there is no public indication yet that the military has agreed to grant such exemptions. Archbishop Timothy Broglio has told Catholic service members assigned to Hasan’s firing squad to request to be excused, saying participation would violate Catholic teaching. But none of the reporting provided says the Army or Pentagon has announced a policy for religious exemptions in this case, or confirmed that any requests would be approved. Whether exemptions are granted will likely depend on ordinary military accommodation rules rather than a special ruling tied to Broglio’s statement. In practice, the military does consider religious-accommodation requests, but it can deny them if commanders decide they conflict with mission requirements. No evidence in the available reporting shows the Army has made that determination for the execution team. There is also broader uncertainty around the execution itself. Legal experts have said Hasan may still pursue federal court review, which could delay the Dec. 3 execution. Separate controversy over the planned livestream has also raised questions about whether current Army regulations would need to be changed or waived. So, for now, Catholic soldiers can ask to be excused, as Broglio urged, but it is not yet known whether the military will grant those requests.

3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Oct 12

Archbishop Timothy Broglio said Monday that Catholic soldiers assigned to Nidal Hasan’s execution detail should ask to be excused, calling firing squad participation contrary to church teaching.
Hasan, the former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people in the 2009 Fort Hood attack, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on Dec. 3.
Broglio also condemned plans to livestream the execution, aligning himself with other Catholic leaders opposing both the death penalty and the proposed broadcast.
The military archbishop tied his statement to the attack’s toll, noting he presided over the funeral of Michael Grant Cahill, the only civilian killed at Fort Hood.