text: I think I will answer for myself because your question deserves a response.  Catholicism has always understood conformity is not unity.  The Church has never had unity equals conformity in it's thinking, all though for some brief moments this has risen to the ascendancy. The other approach has only deepened the theology and spirituality of Catholicism.  Lots of different Faith systems have added their understanding to Catholic belief, and if you don't understand that, research our Lady of Guadalupe.  She could have interceded directly with the Spanish bishop of the time and come decked in Catholic symbolism, but she did neither.  I hope you actually do research Our Lady of Guadalupe because she sent a very important message:  God loves all His children and honors all their spiritualities.  Catholicism may have a special place but it's not an exclusive place.  I really wish more traditional Catholics understood that distinction.