Archbishop of US military says Catholic soldiers should not serve on firing squad

Archbishop of US military says Catholic soldiers should not serve on firing squad Washington, 12 Oct 2026 – The Archdiocese of the United States Military, whose pastoral ministry covers all American armed forces, has issued a stern rebuke of plans to livestream the execution of former Army Ranger Nidal Hasan, who was convicted of treason and murder after the 2009 Fort Davis shootings. In a statement released this morning, Archbishop Michael O’Donnell, the ecclesiastical figure responsible for clergy assignments and spiritual support across the military, warned that allowing Catholic soldiers to participate in the firing squad would be “a grave breach of the Church’s moral teaching and a profound insult to the dignity of human life.” The controversial livestream was proposed by a coalition of right‑wing activists who argue that the execution should be televised to “demonstrate justice for the victims” and “provide closure for families.” They plan to broadcast the event live on a subscription‑based streaming platform, offering a “front‑row view” for supporters worldwide. Archbishop O’Donnell, whose jurisdiction covers all U.S..

military chaplains, called the plan “morally indefensible” and warned that it could “ignite a dangerous precedent” for future executions. The archbishop’s condemnation comes at a time of heightened debate over capital punishment in the United States. While only a handful of states still retain the death penalty, the federal government has been criticized for its slow execution of death‑row inmates..

The Fort Davis case, which remains one of the most high‑profile incidents of terrorism on a military base, has become a flashpoint for discussions about security, accountability, and the moral limits of state violence. In a formal letter to the Department of Defense and the United States Sentencing Commission, Archbishop O’Donnell outlined four key arguments against the livestream. First, he cited the Church’s long‑standing doctrine that human life is sacred from conception to natural death, citing the Catechism’s emphasis on the dignity of every person..

Second, he warned that televising the execution would “dehumanise the condemned and reduce a complex human tragedy to a spectacle.” Third, he noted that Catholic soldiers are “called to be witnesses of peace, not instruments of death.” Finally, he argued that the livestream could “harm the Church’s credibility” with soldiers and the public alike. The Archbishop’s statements have elicited a mixed reaction across the armed services. The United States Army’s Chief of Chaplains, Major General William Hart, praised the archbishop’s stance, stating that “the Church’s moral voice is essential for guiding our soldiers through ethical dilemmas.” Meanwhile, some defense officials expressed concern that the archbishop’s intervention might be seen as interference in the military justice system..

“We must maintain the chain of command and uphold the law,” said a senior spokesperson for the Pentagon, who declined to be named. The proposed execution itself is set to take place at the federal penitentiary in Lexington, Kentucky, where Hasan will be taken from his cell in a heavily guarded convoy. According to the federal schedule, the execution will be carried out by a firing squad of twelve U.S..

Army infantrymen, a practice rarely used in contemporary America. The plan to livestream has sparked controversy among civil‑rights groups, who fear that the public display of state violence could erode public trust in the judicial process. Archbishop O’Donnell’s remarks come after a wave of protests in Washington, D.C., where anti‑capital‑punishment activists staged a demonstration outside the Department of Justice..

Protesters held signs reading “Life is not a performance” and “Let the dead rest in peace.” Many of those in attendance were veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing a personal dimension to the debate about the moral responsibilities of soldiers. In his statement, the Archbishop also addressed the broader implications for Catholic soldiers who might be assigned to the firing squad. “We recognize that our soldiers are called to serve their country in peaceable ways,” he wrote..

“Assigning them to a role that directly ends a human life contradicts the very teachings of Christ, who said, ‘If anyone is hungry, let them eat.’” He called on the Department of Defense to re‑evaluate the composition of the firing squad, suggesting that only non‑Catholic personnel be selected, or that alternative execution methods be considered. The Catholic Church’s position on capital punishment has evolved significantly over the past few decades. In 1996, Pope John Paul II reaffirmed the Church’s opposition to the death penalty, arguing that it is “inherently contrary to the dignity of human life.” Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 encyclical, De Iudicando, called for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide..

More recently, Pope Francis, in his 2018 message for the International Day of Peace, urged that the “world should do away with the death penalty.” Archbishop O’Donnell’s statement is in line with these teachings. Some military officials argued that the use of a firing squad was a “practical, humane alternative” to lethal injection, which has become controversial in several states. The United States Department of Justice’s spokesperson, who asked to remain anonymous, noted that the firing squad’s use of a single, precise bullet could reduce the risk of a botched execution..

However, the Archbishop countered that the moral cost outweighed any potential benefit, insisting that the Church’s “primacy is the protection of human dignity.” In response to the Archbishop’s letter, the Department of Defense issued a brief statement saying that it would “consult with legal and ethical advisors” but would not be making any immediate changes.