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It has always rather bothered me that because some Protestants disagree with the Roman Catholic Church's doctrine of Mary, some Protestants find it difficult to acknowledge Mary's specialness to God and to honor her for who she was.

Very well said. Thank you.

I'm not sure what it is, exactly, that Roman Catholics believe about Mary.

We believe Mary was so special to God that He prepared her to be Jesus' Mother by preserving her from Original Sin. And that His Special graces continued through her life, freeing her from sin. And that at the end of her life, her body was assumed into Heaven, where she takes up her "special place of honor," as you put it.

That is enough to drive some others crazy. Then there is theological speculation and contemplation about Mary's role in saying "Yes" to God, and how that means Grace enters the world because of her "Yes." (But such talk is vastly misunderstood as if we were saying Mary was equal to Jesus or that what she did could have been done without God specially gifting her for her role.)

And that at the end of her life, her body was assumed into Heaven, where she takes up her "special place of honor," as you put it.

See, that's a part of the problem. You are saying that "her body" was resurrected like Christ. I'll grant you her spirit or soul taking up a special place in heaven, but not her physical body. That was reserved for Christ only.

"And that at the end of her life, her body was assumed into Heaven, where she takes up her "special place of honor," as you put it."

If I recall correctly, only two people in scripture are specifically mentioned as being taken bodily into heaven -- Jesus, who died and was raised and ascended, and Elijah, who "went up to heaven in a whirlwind", borne by a chariot of fire. [2 Kings 2:11]. He must have been very special to God.

What does the Roman Catholic church teach about Elijah?