Why do Catholics deify/worship/idolise Mary?

It depends on how you define worship. If you define worship as contemporary Americans do, or as protestants do, then, no, they do not worship Mary. If you define worship in the classical sense (as, for instance, it is used in England to refer to a Magistrate), then, yes. In the Catholic faith, Latria is given to God alone. read more

Catholics do not deify, worship or idolise Mary. That is against the Catholic faith. Only God is to be worshipped. You can read about what the Catholic Church actually teaches (as opposed to rumour) on the Vatican website under Catechism of the Catholic Church - it is structured and hyperlinked so you can just read bits you want if you prefer. read more

Another thing to take into consideration before dismissing Catholics who pray with Mary (or the saints) is that in Catholicism the highest form of devotion is to Christ living in the Eucharist (those who think the Eucharist is a pagan sun-god may want to read this). read more

When forced to admit that they do, in fact, worship Mary, Catholics will claim that they worship God through her, by praising the wonderful creation that God has made. Mary, in their minds, is the most beautiful and wonderful creation of God, and by praising her, they are praising her Creator. read more