Our own COVID superspreader Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone is trying to build up his profile with a national anti-abortion ad campaign targeting Nancy Pelosi, but thus far the campaign is all bishop’s-hat and no cattle.  

Among the many conservative factions that are giddy like kids on Christmas Eve over the Texas abortion ban, which could lead to the effective overturning of Roe v. Wade via the Mississippi test case currently before the Supreme Court, the Catholic Church is eager to intimidate politicians into toeing the church’s line on abortion. The problem? Most Washington, D.C. Catholic elected officials are pro-choice Democrats, and not insignificantly, that includes President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Renegade Catholic clergy already tried the bit where they were going to deny Biden communion, but Pope Francis shot that shit down last month. Here in San Francisco, Captain COVID Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone has been quite vocal at haranguing Pelosi over her staunch support for abortion rights, and now the Chronicle reports Cordileone is running a national advertising campaign against Pelosi. But the campaign called “Rose and a Rosary for Nancy” seems to be all hype and few results.  

Above we see the what the Chronicle calls a "$50,000 digital ad," but really just seems a Youtube clip designed to never actually air on television, and simply to create the illusion of a TV ad campaign. (Or maybe it will run on YouTube in between sermons, if that's your thing.) Cordileone is the ad’s "star," occasionally stammering over his own words as he says “This is a critical time in our country, and we especially need to pray for our political leaders as we see our leaders moving more and more toward the culture of death,” and “I invite you all to join me in prayer and sacrifice for the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.”

“Culture of death,” huh? That’s rich coming from a guy who has been flouting COVID-19 restrictions and whose diocese has managed to orchestrate outbreaks.  

The Chron adds that “There is also a 30-second radio spot, airing on Catholic radio stations nationally that doesn’t specifically mention Pelosi but asks 'Catholics to commit to pray and fast for conversion of hearts of members of Congress.’” The campaign also says that if you sign their online petition, “a rose will be sent to her as a symbol of your prayer and fasting for her."

Yeah, about that. Even the hard-right Daily Caller admits that the campaign cannot get enough roses to match the signature count. When the petition hit 3,500 signatures on October 1, the campaign’s executive director told the Daily Caller, “We couldn’t locate 3,500 roses to send today but we will get them to her.” (They did deliver 1,000 roses.)

Moreover, Pelosi tends to win these fights with conservative media. As the Chronicle points out, “In 2018, conservatives spent tens of millions of dollars invoking her name in 1 of every 5 Republican-made ads run in that cycle. The result: Democrats flipped the House.”

The intent here is apparently to scare Pelosi into thinking she is unwelcome in the Catholic Church. But as the above tweet shows, Mister Archbishop, she’s got friends in higher places than you.

Related: SF Catholic Churches Have Been Holding Illegal Gatherings; City Attorney Threatens Restraining Order [SFist]