Military’s archbishop criticizes plan to livestream execution: “Do we really want to imitate the terrorists?”

Updated on: October 12, 2026 / 5:00 PM EDT / CBS News

The archbishop for the U.S. military says any Catholic service members who are assigned to participate in the livestreamed firing-squad execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan should ask to be excused — the latest pushback against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio released a statement Monday to "express my disapproval of what is proposed regarding the execution of the terrorist Hasan," referring to Hegseth's announcement last week that Hasan's execution in December would be publicly viewable.

Broglio pointed to the Catholic Church's opposition to the death penalty. He also warned of "moral injury" to service members who are tasked with carrying out the execution, and asked: "Do we really want to imitate the terrorists of this world and make a public spectacle of barbarically killing our adversaries?"

"The US military generally enjoys a good reputation in the world," wrote Broglio. "Is there really a value to throwing them in the same boat with terrorists by broadcasting the image of the execution of a man in a wheel chair to the whole world? Does this decision reflect the dignity of the human person?"

The Pentagon…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/entertainment/