From what you quoted from Blessed Saint Aquinas I don't think you accept the distinction between God USING evil and God CAUSING it. We'll just have to disagree. I understand that the need for men to be sovereign and powerful necessitates the lessening of God. Men have been claiming their sovereign authority (as against) God from the beginning. It is how we were born.
However, of course, that doesn't make it right. :) The reason many cannot accept the sovereignty of God is that it would mean that man was dependent on God, and this just can't be the case for many people. Therefore, they say, if man does not determine his own destiny, and if man is not in control, then God creates evil. It just isn't so. I understand this thinking because I used to think I was the captain of my own ship too.
It's very simple Dear Brother, God is the first cause of everything created and God is flawless eternal goodness in anything He creates because He Himself is perfect goodness. Therefore evil cannot be in God, if it were ,than God would be flawed.
“God saw all things that he had made, and they were very good “(Gen. i, 31): “He made all things good in his own time” (Eccles. iii, 11): “Every creature of God is good (1 Tim. iv, 4).
I guess you disagree with this Scripture?
FK-””The reason many cannot accept the sovereignty of God is that it would mean that man was dependent on God, and this just can't be the case for many people. Therefore, they say, if man does not determine his own destiny, and if man is not in control, then God creates evil. It just isn't so. I understand this thinking because I used to think I was the captain of my own ship too.””
In other words... Now you have accepted what ever sins you have committed as part of God's plan for your life.
In this way of thinking you elevate evil as something God needs to create in order to be sovereign.
You have fallen into the heresy of accepting everything as fate now. In doing this you will have to accept Hitler's reign,lucifer being cast out of heaven, the fall of Adam and Eve etc... as part of God's created plan.
This is the way the muslims think,Dear Brother!
From New Advent
FATE IN THE KORAN
The idea of fate among orthodox Mohammedans is founded on the doctrine of God's absolute decree, and of predestination both for good and for evil. The prophet encouraged his followers to fight without fear, and even with desperation, by assuring them that no timidity or caution could save their lives in battle or avert their inevitable destiny.
Does this sound familiar to you?