# Archbishop Orders Catholics to Request Excusal from Firing Squad

> US Archbishop demands Catholics assigned to execute terrorist avoid live-streamed firing squad.
- Title: Archbishop Orders Catholics to Request Excusal from Firing…
- Summary: US Archbishop demands Catholics assigned to execute terrorist avoid live-streamed firing squad. Archbishop Timothy Broglio requires Catholics on firing squad…
- Keywords: archbishop timothy broglio, nidal malik hasan, firing squad, military execution, us conference of catholic bishops, pope leo, death penalty, livestream execution, religion, world, Archbishop, Orders
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-10/archbishop-broglio-condemns-plan-to-livestream-execution.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-13T10:28:15.133+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: archbishop timothy broglio, nidal malik hasan, firing squad, military execution, us conference of catholic bishops, pope leo, death penalty, livestream execution, religion, world
## Archbishop Broglio's Statement
Archbishop Timothy Broglio obliges any Catholics assigned to the firing squad to request excusal from executing Nidal Malik Hasan.

> it is my duty to express my disapproval of what is proposed regarding the execution of the terrorist hasan
## Nidal Malik Hasan's Crime
Nidal Malik Hasan was condemned to death for premeditated murder of 13 people and attempted premeditated murder of 32 more at Fort Hood, Texas.
## Trump Approves Execution
President Donald Trump approved Hasan's execution by firing squad, with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announcing it would be livestreamed.
## Widespread Condemnation
US Conference of Catholic Bishops' President Archbishop Paul Coakley called the decision a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered.

> this decision is a barbaric promotion of a culture of death and must be reconsidered
## Pope Leo's Stance
Pope Leo reiterated opposition to the death penalty, stating it attacks human dignity and that effective detention systems can safeguard the common good without capital punishment.

> the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person
## Archbishop's Call to Action
Archbishop Broglio urges Catholics to request exemption from the firing squad to avoid public spectacle and potential moral injury.

> do we really want to imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries
## Key takeaway

Archbishop Timothy Broglio requires Catholics on firing squad to request exemption from executing Nidal Malik Hasan due to Church teaching on human dignity.