Picture it for a moment.
It is 1906. Rome, the Apostolic Palace, third floor.
Pope Pius X, formerly known as Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto and later to be canonized as a saint, is standing by his office window, staring into the distance. There is a lot on his mind besides the sweltering August heat.
Once again, he goes over the facts in his head. One of the most prominent Jesuit missionaries in Africa, Fr. Ferreira, has been caught red-handed participating in a pagan ritual with the natives he was supposed to convert. The evidence shows that he was a willing and active participant.
He knows what to do, he thinks to himself, before a knock on the door interrupts his train of thought.
“Enter,” he orders.
It is his Secretary of State and right-hand man, Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val.
“Holy Father, he is finally here. After months of letters and messengers, we managed to track him down. The culprit is in the hallway. Shall I bring him in?” asks a visibly tense del Val. After all, despite his holy character, he knows what this man, whom he admires so much, is about to do.
Pope Pius X takes his seat behind his desk, but then gets up again.
“Yes, send him in.”
Del Val leaves but shortly returns with the disgraced, pagan-worshipping Ferreira in tow. He nudges Ferreira toward the desk where Pope Pius X is standing before taking a step back toward the wall.
Ferreira cautiously moves closer to the Holy Pope, who has indicated that he must approach. He obliges Christ’s Vicar on earth. When he is within arm’s reach of the Pope, Pius X puts a hand on his shoulder.
There is an icy look in the Holy Pope’s eyes. To Ferreira, it feels as though he is staring into the darkness of his own wretched soul.
But then the Pope’s countenance changes, and a little smile forms at the corners of his mouth.
“My son, I am glad you came. In light of all that has happened, and after much consideration, I have decided to…” He hesitates and flashes del Val a knowing look.
“…to elevate you to archbishop.”
Yes. I know. This never happened. And even if history were to be repeated an infinite number of times, I am almost certain this little scene would never have played out featuring St. Pius X or any of the other holy preconciliar popes.
Fast-forward to August 2026.
It is August 13, at the opening of the Southern Macro-regional Meeting, “Intertwining Voices for Dignity,” which brings together representatives of Indigenous communities and social organizations from nine regions of southern Peru.
The gathering is partly being held in preparation for Leo XIV’s looming visit, but it is also connected to LGBTQ advocacy.
In video footage of the opening that later surfaces, an Andean ritual centered on Mother Earth, or Pachamama, can be seen taking place. Participants in the video are clearly given coca leaves and invited to place them, along with food, in bowls on the ground as part of an offering associated with traditional Andean pagan practices.
But there is more.
In the damning video evidence, Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, an official of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and pontifical commissioner for the Sodalitium of Christian Life, can also be seen actively taking part in this wicked ritual.
Faithful Catholics are shocked and outraged. What will the “pope” do? Surely severe disciplinary measures, if not excommunication, await the culprits?
Two weeks have passed after the incident. Leo’s papal wrath should be coming down on Herrera any moment now...
…Except it doesn’t.
Prevost has just, on August 29, promoted Bishop Lizardo Estrada Herrera, OSA, by appointing him coadjutor archbishop of Cusco, placing him in line to become the next leader of the Peruvian archdiocese.
Yes, folks. Estrada, who has served as auxiliary bishop of Cusco since 2021 and is currently secretary general of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), will now hold the right of succession to the archdiocese.
The more wicked you are in the Synodal “Church”, the greater the reward.
Promoting LGBTQ ideology? You become a bishop. Participating in idolatry and pagan worship? Have a bishop’s miter.
As my mom always used to say, the devil takes care of his own.
Darkness now moves among us. Darkness now has an address. Darkness now has structure and hierarchy.
You can find it in Rome.
Reject it. Flee from it. Warn others.
A HUMBLE APPEAL TO MY READERS!
At the end of each month, I make this same request because the reality behind Radical Fidelity has not changed: countless hours of research, reading, writing, editing, and correspondence go into producing this work. What began as a side endeavor has steadily become a full-time apostolate, demanding more time, energy, and resources with each passing month.
I am also grateful to share that additional articles of mine are now appearing at Integrity Magazine. While this means even more free content for readers, it also means a heavier workload spread across multiple platforms.
Despite this, I remain committed to keeping my work outside paywalls. I firmly believe that truth, especially in these times, should remain accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.
If Radical Fidelity has informed, encouraged, challenged, or benefited you in any way, please consider supporting this apostolate through either a monthly contribution or an occasional donation of any amount. Your support helps make possible not only the continued growth of this small but meaningful community of faithful Catholics, but also the work still to come:
And if you missed any articles this month, here they are all in one convenient place to be read, reread, and shared. There is also a link at the end to my work published at Integrity Magazine:
“Bishop” Publicly States Rainbow Sin Is “Natural” and “Not a Sin”
Why the Synodal Church Should Completely Outlaw the TLM Sooner Rather than Later
Synodal Bishop Publicly Boasts How He Undermines Rome
The Devil is “Imaginary” and We Should Rather Exorcise Homophobia and Racism, Says Bishop
Proving in Seven Logical Steps That Most Traditional Catholics Are Crypto-Sedevacantists
Synodal Church Starts Eating Its Own (And Other Tales from the Postconciliar Revolt)
Synodal “Church” in Peru Prepares for Leo’s Visit with an offering to “Mother Earth”
Video Shows Nuns “Concelebrate” Mass with Priest Who Changes Eucharistic Prayer
You Were Warned, and Will Have No Excuse
Are We Hurtling Toward the Bottom of the Slippery Slope?
Here is Why You Should Not Get Excited About This Bishop’s “Generous” TLM Gesture
Don’t hesitate to check out my other work at Integrity Magazine HERE
Our Lady, Co-redemptrix, pray for us…
Our Lady, Mediatrix of all Graces, pray for us…
Viva Christo Rey!
The leader of a non catholic false church, seen normalizing sin, doesn't surprise me. It DOES offend me and so do all the "catholics" who think he ever catholic.
But I have no doubt that those feelings are miniscule compared to how the Sacred Heart of Jesus receives this.
The Day of Judgement will be tough enough for even the "faithful", I don't want to imagine what will be in store for all the proponents of the false church.
The devil does, indeed, take care of his own.