The deification of Mary is at the heart of the Catholic church--as noted here by Bishop David O'Connell of Trenton, NJ--yet the Bible fails to support this Catholic dogma; in fact, it speaks out against it. Jesus' mother Mary was a human in need of a Savior as she makes clear in Luke 1:46-47: "And Mary said,  'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.'"

Contrary to what the new Pope said in his speech yesterday about Mary watching and protecting the Church of Rome and his prayer to her, this is what the Word of God says: "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5)." In other words, she can't hear you; furthermore, you are worshipping idols.

With the deification of "saints", angels, and Mary, the Catholic church appears to be competing with the many gods of the Hindu faith.

I'm sure many will not like what I am saying nor think it applies to politics. If truth is the bedrock of our lives, this should matter. The fact that we've heard more about the "blessed mother" than Jesus Christ since the Pope's election should trouble even those who are Catholic.