Your stance and personality are such I could come close to believing that YOU might have some significant difference between the two for
“reverence” and “respect” to be fairly distinctive terms for you.
Given the dozens of threads and loud protestations hereon regarding such, for 10+ years by some RC’s, there’s no way . . . that worship of Mary is NOT involved.
It’s like a hornet’s nest. They PROVE idolatry right and left hereon every time we turn around by their emotionality, hostility, denials etc. and the tone and character thereof.
And that Ferraro text . . . that they would defend that in the least for any reason is spiritually criminal and blasphemous. All the weasel words excusing it as flowery speech and hyper emotionality is hogwash. Idolatry is idolatry. The thought that their weasel words about it will cut any ice with God is insulting to God.
I could go cynical and worldly with this, and probably will in spots. That is just me. Read nothing into it. We live in the world and it affects us.
Catholics can and do talk to God directly. Make no mistake on that. He speaks to everyone, regardless of if they wish it or not. He listens to everyone all the time.
Yet we have the idea of intercession and confession. Sometimes, in court, in discussion, even down the pub, you need someone to talk for you. Someone at one remove from Him, who you do not feel so worthless and insignificant talking to and admitting your failings.
And, from a purely sarcastic and secular point of view, sometimes people need Mom.
I do envy my friends in the Protestant faiths who talk daily and directly to Him. I do, much of the time. Most of my friends in the Catholic faith do. But, sometimes, you are ashamed, you know? It is slightly easier to talk to a Saint than directly to Him. He still hears, and you are more honest in talking to a saint or the Virgin than you would be in talking to Him.
It is a natural outgrowth of confession. I know enough of you to know you are a good person.
Would you stand up in the middle of church and recite your sins for all to hear? Not doctrinal things - actual sins, and we all have them.
Few would. It is easier to speak of such things in the confessional, where your judge has no face. The Saint's at least, are an extension of that. Me, I have never prayed to the Blessed Virgin but once - she is, to use the phrase, way beyond my pay grade (she answered, but it is a bit personal).
Yet confessions we all hear. Ever travelled? Long flight, terrible movie and you can't sleep. You wind up talking to the person sat next to you. You tell them things you would not tell your own mother - because you will never, ever see them again.
Then, there is a secondary aspect. “Ask and you shall receive” is a problem for a church that prays to give thanks only.
We do. We pray for others all the time. But not really for ourselves. Asking someone to pray for us is less, I don't know, aggressive?
God owes us nothing for our worship. We owe him all.
I saw a wonderful cartoon once, a bunch of saints in an office, writing out huge ledgers of prayers and one saying to another, “If I knew then what I know now, I'd have sinned HARD.”
Just my opinion, but hope it helps.