Ok.
God is merciful to all of us.
I look to His mercy because I fear His just judgment
I have yet to be a part of any congregation thorougly FREE of idolatry.
Keep looking and praying, the Catholic specifically and officially condoms idolatry. The misguided actions of some who veer from the path are not representative of what the Church actually teaches.
Some are just more overt about it.
Again, the Church is unequivocal in her condemnation of worshiping any thing or anyone besides the one true Triune God.
From the Cathechism of the Roman Catholic Church...
"This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation. . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix."969
Mary did not "consent." The Lord told her what was going to happen.
How does her "intercession" aid in our salvation? Christ is the ONLY measure of our atonement. Christ alone saves. How does Mary save anyone?
How does Mary "advocate" or "mediate" for anyone, since there is only One Mediator between God and Man, Christ Jesus?
What "benefits" do men receive from Mary and where is this found in Scripture? All "benefits" come from God alone through Christ alone.
Again, the Church is unequivocal in her condemnation of worshiping any thing or anyone besides the one true Triune God.
The proof is in the doing. And the RCC's "doing" is very different from what you describe.
Sadly.
Plenty true. Plenty true.
Thx.