I will not get into silly arguments about
things we cannot truly answer. But I know what I can read in the Holy Scriptures and this is my authority. Jesus prophesied in parables that there would be goats and wolves in sheep's clothing among the sheep down here on earth, and weeds among the wheat (and surely at the highest levels of organizational structure). I will never fully trust church leaders on earth because of this and instead will always look to what Jesus and the Apostles taught. Revisionism came on very strong and very soon after the Apostles left this earth, with clericalism, sacramentalism, and superstition--- the paganistic elevation of things, people, and offices.
Where and when any church differs in doctrine or tradition from the scriptures, I will always choose the Word of God over the words of men.
And praying to those who have gone on to be with the Lord is NEVER recommended, nor do we have any example of believers doing this in the New Testament. Thus I will trust that, at the very least, God is not encouraging this practice. I can always pray to the Lord Jesus, our only true Mediator, who is sitting on His throne beside the Father. I have full access "to the throne of grace." There is no need whatsoever for any other person in-between.
Put not your trust in rulers, nor in any child of earth, for there is no help in them.
Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! Whose hope is in the LORD their God. (Psalm 146:2, 4)
See also Jesus versus clericalism:
Mark 10:42-44;
Matthew 23:1-12