Unfortunately SVD is correct.
All of these organizations that appear to, and actually do good works, are part of the system. Those at the lower levels are not privy to what is known and practiced at the top.
It is a weeding process promoting and mentoring those with desired time/talent/treasure up through the ranks.
And my husband is a member.
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I fail to see how a society founded in 1882 by Fr. Michael McGivney to help destitute Catholic families, by starting a fraternal order of charity, is part of the Cabal. It certainly didn’t begin that way. The Irish Catholics who were discriminated against were the ones the KofC was founded to help. Even today, the KofC insurance company is one of the largest insurance companies in the US. Perhaps some individual people are part of the Cabal, but as a group, I just don’t see it.
“Going up in the ranks” locally means becoming Grand Knight which sounds great but is a HUGE amount of work. No one really wants to do it. Mr. Claret was happy to be done when his term expired. Those that move up to State enjoy it because they want to serve and like helping people.
If you “know what is known and practiced at the top,” do tell.