Consider that the Vatican was the first spy institution. They had/have the perfect set up. Everyone comes in for confession and the church/PTB have the dirt on everyone. Those that align with their dirty little lives are recruited. Some are used to advance their power. Others are blackmailed or worse killed off. The Jesuits are sent out to all corners of the Earth to missionaries to spy on the new world and further their reach. Jesuits are trained to fit in and blend. A cloaked priest is just another face in the crowd. Nothing to see here.