- My experience from countless discussions on the internet and some apologetic RC books is that Catholics whom I regard as brothers and sisters in the Lord (sometimes quite evangelical Catholics) always deny "praying" to the Saints or Mary in the sense they pray to God. I've come to believe them.
- Thanks to Ken and Mick for helpful replies! I DO want also to say thanks to you, Blair - and thank God for you -- you are a very gracious young man! *smile*
- To respond to this old conversation, from a Catholic perspective, for the benefit of anyone who happens upon it: The difference between latria and dulia is in its essence the difference between adoring God on one hand and such actions as standing up when a judge walks into a courtroom, saluting a head of state, or removing one's hat when a funeral procession goes by, on the other. It's the difference between worship and showing respect. This is a true difference in kind, not merely a difference in degree. As to prayer, NB.Mick was right: prayer to God and prayer to Saints are quite different for Catholics (and Orthodox and those of the Anglicans who do so). It's helpful to understand that the English word "prayer" has not always meant "communication with God" in common use. In Shakespeare's Tempest, the line "I prithee [pray thee] now, lead the way without any more talking" is a request of a man, not an act of worship to a God. If a Catholic asks God for help, the Catholic might pray, "God, strengthen my faith." If a Catholic asks St. Thomas for help, the Catholic might pray, "St. Thomas, pray for me that God may strengthen my faith." In the same way, I, a Catholic, might ask you, dear reader, to pray to God that my faith would be strengthened. Depending on my mood, I might say to you, "I pray thee, dear friend, beseech God on my behalf that my faith may be strengthened." I'm clearly not worshipping you if I do that(!).