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Q: Why do Catholics believe in Mary and Protestants do not? Do Catholics worship Mary? And if not, how can we help others not misunderstand this devotion? Where is Mary in the Bible?
A: Catholics honour Mary because she is the Mother of God. She is, as described by the angel Gabriel, God's "favored one" (Luke: 1: 28), chosen from among all women to conceive the Son of the Most High. Her cousin Elizabeth, "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Luke 1:41), greets Mary with the words the Church uses in prayer to this very day: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." (Luke 1:42). Mary herself responds, acknowledging the favour shown to her by God himself: "Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name." (Luke: 48-49).
The special reverence, or 'veneration' as it is often called, which Catholics direct to Mary, is sometimes mistaken by some of our Protestant brethren for the adoration which is to be reserved for God alone. The Catholic Church, however, is quite clear on the distinction between honouring Mary and worshipping God, and while encouraging our wholehearted devotion to our Blessed Mother, the Church has always recognized Mary's oneness "with all human beings in their need for salvation", and has never regarded her as some sort of divine or even semi-divine being. Catholic veneration of Mary in no way supplants the proper worship of Christ our Saviour, but is "rightly called 'Christian,' because it takes its origin and effectiveness from Christ, finds its complete expression in Christ, and leads through Christ in the Spirit to the Father." (Marialis Cultus, 1974)
The reluctance of Protestants to venerate Mary seems to stem from this fear that Catholics are deflecting attention from Christ, and worse, are engaging in idolatry by worshipping someone who is not God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps some have felt supported in this belief if they witnessed instances of superstitious practices surrounding Mary, or false claims of apparitions. That is why the Church, wisely, has always been cautious about claims of Marian appearances or healings, because she knows that an overreliance on the seemingly miraculous can be damaging to the faith of those both inside and outside the Church, especially when such claims turn out to be fraudulent
It is true, then, that most Protestant denominations do not honour Mary as Catholics do, although Eastern-rite Christians, including those of the Orthodox faith, who are not affiliated with Roman Catholicism, also revere her. Some Protestant denominations, however, such as the Anglicans, do honour Mary:
"Catholics are also united with Anglicans, whose classical theologians have already drawn attention to the sound scriptural basis for devotion to the Mother of our Lord, while those of the present day increasingly underline the importance of Mary's place in the Christian life. Praising God with the very words of the Virgin (cf. Lk. 1:46-55), they are united, too, with their brethren in the Churches of the Reform, where love for the Sacred Scriptures flourishes." (Marialis Cultus, 1974)
It should be remembered that from the earliest times, until the advent of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, the important role played by Our Blessed Mother in our salvation history was accepted by all Christians, as was the spiritual value of praying to her and to the other saints. As for how we may help others understand this devotion, the best way is to first make sure we ourselves understand it fully. This can be accomplished by reading Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and some of the many books and magazines about Mary available in your parish library or local Catholic bookstore.
Finally, you asked: Where is Mary in the Bible? Here are some references:
The Annunciation (Luke 1: 26-38), The Visitation (Luke 1: 39-55), The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-20), The Presentation (Luke 2 : 21-39), Finding in the Temple (Luke 2: 46-52), The Wedding at Cana (John 2: 1-5), At the foot of the Cross (John 19: 4-5), In the Upper Room ( Acts: 1: 14).