Yes, one can’t inordinately elevate Mary in estimation past the role that God Himself gave to her. It has things in common with pagan systems, but keep in mind that pagan systems also sometimes managed to echo elements of Christianity as even evangelicals believe it. I am slow to scream “PAGAN” to something that could be an independent error without showing beyond other explanations some kind of nexus through which it could happen. Likeness doesn’t necessarily establish route of connection. I wrestled vigorously a couple weeks ago with a guy who was entrapped in a philosophical trap that caused him to rail at any manifestation of God in human worship as the work of the devil. It was in vain and I walked away, but not without some enlightenment on my own part.
Well, let’s just take their word on whether they incorporate paganism.
“We need not shrink from admitting that candles, like incense and lustral water, were commonly employed in pagan worship and the rites paid to the dead. But the Church from a very early period took them into her service, just as she adopted many other things indifferent in themselves, which seemed proper to enhance the splendor of religious ceremonial. We must not forget that most of these adjuncts to worship, like music, lights, perfumes, ablutions, floral decorations, canopies, fans, screens, bells, vestments etc. were not identified with any idolatrous cult in particular; but they were common to almost all cults” (Catholic Encyclopedia, III, 246.)
“When we give or receive Christmas gifts; or hang green wreaths in our homes and churches, how many of us know that we are probably observing pagan customs...the god, Woden, in Norse Mythology, descends upon the earth yearly between December 25th and January 6th to bless mankind...But pagan though they be, they are beautiful customs. They help inspire us with the spirit of 'good will to men', even as the sublime service of our Church reminds us of the ‘peace on earth’ which the babe of Bethlehem came to bestow” (Externals of the Catholic Church, 140).
Catholics can’t deny that the RCC has incorporated pagan practices into its practices. The RCC itself admits that it does.