They weren't praying to the ark however. They didn't invoke the name of the ark as Roman Catholics invoke prayers to Mary, etc.
>>unlike Roman Catholics and their idols they claim to be Mary.<<
That sounds a lot like calumny to me. I know a lot of Catholics, and I don't know any who pray to images or think that an image of Mary is really Mary.
Of course no RC is going to admit this idolatry. Ya'll have been told it's "ok".
You said bowing was sufficient. According to you guys, bowing in front of an image is sufficient to make one an idolater; that's what that picture a few posts above shows. By your own definition, the High Priest in the Old Covenant was commanded by God to commit idolatry.
Make up your mind.
We were just following orders.