Actually, it was long criticized and suppressed, sometimes even very firmly (witness the Inquisition). However, after Vatican II, many leftists got into positions of power in the Church and started encouraging "native" practices. The left is the biggest reason that voodoo and various bizarre African-influenced cults have flourished in Latin America. I think our current pope is not going to be as tolerant as his predecessor.
Certain things, like voodoo and the Mayan cargo system, are very old syncretisms. Even in Europe itself some bizarre practices (like wrapping live snakes around statues) still went on until quite recently.
But it is true, and most ironic, that the Left (which is supposed to be dedicated to all things new and "progressive") often poses as the defenders of ancient traditions. And I'm still waiting for Darwin to enter the mix!
PYRO: Give it a rest!
See, Pyro? I saved you the trouble. Maybe I should just make that my tagline. It would save you a great deal of trouble, wouldn't it?