This notion led to a huge feud between the Jesuits, on one side, who wanted to allow converts to continue rites honoring (or worshipping, depending on your POV, Confucius and their ancestors) and the Franciscans and Dominicans, who wants all such rites prohibited as idolatry.
The controversy lasted from roughly 1640 to 1740, with the anti-rites side winning by a Papal decision. This was eventually reversed in 1939 and reinforced by Vatican II.
The controversy played a big role in Chinese government banning and eventually persecuting Christians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Rites_controversy
Very interesting.