Among the first things Latour learns upon meeting Martinez is that he has fathered children. Martinez challenges Latour on the Catholic Church's celibacy rule for priests. Martinez claims the native priests are more devout than the French Jesuits and warns Latour that enforcing "European formalities" will result in "infidels and profligates." He challenges Latour to dismiss him, saying he will form his own church.
Despite their disagreements, during High Mass the following day Latour admires Martinez's singing voice as well as the man's undeniable charisma. He discusses the matter of Martinez with Mrs. Kit Carson, who tells him that a disagreement with Martinez will set the Indians against Latour. He confides to Vaillant that he will replace Martinez eventually, but he will replace him with a Spanish priest when he returns from a trip to the Vatican in Rome.
Latour returns from Rome a year later with four French priests and one Spanish priest. He appoints the Spanish priest, Father Taladrid, to replace Martinez, allowing him the privilege to celebrate Mass upon Holy Days. When the arrangement proves untenable to Taladrid, Latour decides in favor of the Spanish priest. Martinez, infuriated, forms a schismatic church with Padre Marino Lucero of Arroyo Hondo. Lucero is depicted as an avaricious old man, given to castoff clothing and austere eating habits. In response, Latour sends Vaillant to strip Martinez and Lucero of the rights and privileges of the priesthood. Although excommunicated, the two priests continue their heretical schismatic church until their deaths shortly thereafter. While Martinez dies with repenting, Vaillant presides over the Lucero's reconciliation with the Church. Upon his death, it is revealed that the miserly priest had saved nearly $20,000 in American money.
