Sure it's been "decried". So what is the outcome? Protestants have more flexibility in such matters. But for the Church who claims to have rigid Canons and rules, in truth rulebreakers are seldom chastened and most of this is ignored.
2) defend their Catholic brothers You bet. The discussion here is about worship of Mary and statues the most common of accusations debunked here too many times to count. How many hoops will you have us jump through?
This pastor email is a prime example of where Catholicism in third world countries is nothing more than idolatry. In a way it is the same here in the US. People don't leave gifts before NJ Tunnels if they believe Mary is in heaven.
3) incorporate it into the Mass Again, if it is liturgically illicit or invalid it should be condemned, proscribed, and disciplined. We can't count on all our bishops to do the job properly, true enough.
I'm sure that if we are reading about these things going on in the Church around the world, someone is technically savvy within the Vatican to be reading the same information. Do you see any condemnation coming from the Vatican? They have enough to do with trying to fill priestly slots. They aren't about to criticize or remove priests.
Why would we not defend our doctrine as vigorously as you do yours?
What is supported is "The Church is right, period." Hardly a careful analysis of the inspired word of God, as declared by the Catholic Church.