As far as Catholics use of statues, I've come to the conclusion that they truly do not pray to them.
They are not saying "This statue is God" they are just praying to God, in front of a statue. I guess like praying to God while kneeling to a sick person at a hospital.
My above posts were to clarify that the Crucifix in my apartment, is OK. I know it's not actually Jesus, but a carving of him.