US Archbishop: it would be 'morally acceptable' for troops to disobey morally questionable orders

Archbishop Timothy Broglio

Archbishop Timothy Paul Andrew Broglio, Archbishop for the US Military Services, USA, told the BBC on Sunday that it would be 'morally acceptable' for troops to disobey orders that go against their conscience."

Speaking at a time when President Trump has repeatedly laid claims to Greenland, the Archbishop, who also served as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) from 2022 to 2025 told BBC News on Sunday: "It would be very difficult for a soldier or marine or a sailor to, by himself, to disobey an order such as that, but strictly speaking … he or she would be within the realm of their own conscience - it would be morally acceptable to disobey that order," he said. "But that's perhaps putting that individual in an untenable situation, and that's my concern."

The use of military force against Greenland by the US would amount to an attack on a NATO ally under the terms of the alliance. NATO, which was established in 1949, considers an attack against one or several of its members as an attack against all, and pledges collective defence in the face of such a scenario. Such an attack is widely seen as a scenario that would bring about the end of the alliance.

Archbishop Broglio said the prospect of military action in Greenland "tarnishes the image of the United States in our world."

"Because traditionally, we've responded to situations of oppression or situations - it's not to say that those weren't sometimes in national interest... but ... this is certainly very difficult to justify," he said.

ON January 8, Trump told the New York Times his actions are constrained only by his "own morality."

Archbishop Broglio expressed concern over Trump's comments, suggesting that international law and one's own moral principles should go hand in hand. He said it does not seem reasonable for the US to attack and occupy Greenland, which is governed by Denmark, a NATO ally.

"It'd be one thing if the people of Greenland wanted to, wanted to be annexed, that would be one situation," Broglio said. "But taking it by force when we already have treaties there that allow for a military installation in Greenland? It doesn't seem necessary."

Archbishop Broglio is the latest Church leader to raise concerns about Trump's policies.

On Monday, Cardinal Blase J Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington and Cardinal Joseph W Tobin, CSsR, archbishop of Newark today issued a strongly worded statement measuring US foreign policy against the principles set forth by Pope Leo XIV in his January 9, 2026 address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited the Holy See.

They appealed for the creation of a "genuinely moral foreign policy for our nation," as the US faces "the most profound and searing debate about the moral foundation for America's actions in the world since the end of the Cold War."

US Bishops have also issued several statements condemning the treatment of immigrants and attacks on small boats.

LINKS

Three American Cardinals issue rare joint statement on morality of US foreign policy: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/54167

US Bishops issue 'Special Message' on Immigration + VIDEO: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/53687