The archbishop of San Francisco came out with a statement calling politicians who legislate for abortion “Satanists.” 

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone released a statement two weeks ago titled “Opposition to Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021”  passed the House last week. The stated purpose of the act is to “permit health care providers to provide abortion services without limitations or requirements”. 

Addressing his words to lawmakers, in particular Catholic politicians, the archbishop began by saying that “HR 3755, the misnamed ‘Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021,’ shows to what radical extremes the supposedly “Pro-Choice” advocates in our country will go to protect what they hold most sacred: the right to kill innocent human beings in the womb.”

“Any reasonable person with a basic sense of morality and inkling of decency cannot but shudder in horror at such a heinous evil being codified in law,” he wrote. Citing Pope Francis, the archbishop stated unequivocally, “Abortion is homicide,” going on to compare healthcare workers and doctors involved in the process as “hitmen.”

The archbishop then hinted that anyone who supports abortion is a “devout Satanist.”

“This proposed legislation is nothing short of child sacrifice, and clearly in reaction, among other things, to the recently passed Texas Heartbeat bill.  It should come as no surprise, then, that that bill is being challenged by none other than The Satanic Temple and precisely on the grounds of religious freedom.  Indeed, HR 3755 is surely the type of legislation one would expect from a devout Satanist, not a devout Catholic.”

His statement certainly included House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) who is Roman Catholic and lives in the San Francisco archdiocese. Pelosi responded to the archbishop’s statements, defended the bill by saying that she believes God gives people “free will to honor our responsibilities.”

This is not the first time Pelosi has conflicted with Archbishop Cordileone over abortion. In July, the Speaker was working on a spending bill that would allow for federal funding of elective abortions in Medicaid. Ironically, she defended her position by invoking her Catholic faith.

“As a devout Catholic and mother of five in six years, I feel that God blessed my husband and me with our beautiful family – five children in six years almost to the day,” Pelosi said. “But that may not be what we should – and it’s not up to me to dictate that that’s what other people should do, and it’s an issue of fairness and justice for poorer women in our country.”

 Archbishop Cordileone responded by releasing a statement saying, “No one can claim to be a devout Catholic and condone the killing of innocent human life, let alone have the government pay for it. The right to life is a fundamental — the most fundamental — human right, and Catholics do not oppose fundamental human rights.”

“To use the smokescreen of abortion as an issue of health and fairness to poor women is the epitome of hypocrisy: what about the health of the baby being killed? What about giving poor women real choice, so they are supported in choosing life?”

“This would give them fairness and equality to women of means, who can afford to bring a child into the world. It is people of faith who run pro-life crisis pregnancy clinics; they are the only ones who provide poor women life-giving alternatives to having their babies killed in their wombs.”

He added: “I cannot be prouder of my fellow Catholics who are so prominent in providing this vital service. To them, I say: you are the ones worthy to call yourselves ‘devout Catholics’!”

In January, Pelosi said that pro-lifers who voted for former President Donald Trump because of the abortion issue gave her “great grief as a Catholic.”