The people you have described are not Catholics. They have mixed santeria (correct spelling) with aspects of Catholicism but they are not—I repeat—not Catholics in any kind of good standing with the Church.
This needs to be made perfectly clear before anyone refers to santeria as “Catholic”.
Also, I see that posters are not allowed to “read minds” on FR religion Forum.
Maybe there ought to be some addressing re: the “heart” reading that goes on here as well.
Hands to my head.. with fingers pointing at YOU,,
wiggling..