After one meeting I attended the priest (young, jeans and sandals, no collar) approached me and told me not to believe the bad things I hear about VOTF, the ones making accusations against them are archaic and out of touch.
Our local chapter is fairly large, and as far as I know, I am the only one around who opposes them. It's lonely!!
The problem as I see it, is 1st: bad catechisis. Most of the people (all older than I am and I am 43) either didn't know their catechism or were divorced or have divorced kids or a kid who is a homosexual. So they have an axe to grind. They were trying to find time to schedule a speaker from CORPUS and Call to Action - but I believe they backed down from that since they don't want to be on "that side" at least in print. But they sure are kissing cousins.
2nd: Especially at first, a lot of people were furious at the blatent disregard for the abused children/teenagers of the laity and the kid glove treatment of the abusing priests. So VOTF was the only game in town to join. It still is. This is where the orthodox drop the ball and do not provide an alternative forum for people to carp and feel like they are doing something constructive. Fortunately, apathy and a natural wariness of "groups" have most Catholics staying at home.
I think VOTF is so big here because of the backing of theologians/priests/"intellectuals" at Boston College, the Jesuit Center, Regis College, Holy Cross, etc. Many of the priests here promote and back VOTF. In fact, supposedly VOTF was formed by a couple of priests who were mad at Cardinal Law as he disciplined them on and off through the years over their heterodoxy. They knew that they could not form a group opposing him, but they could recruit a few big guns around to do it for them.
I wish the orthodox (SSPXers Tridentine advocates and us ortho's in the pews) could speak with one voice instead of arguing over Latin/English, kneeling/standing, etc. - we have no cohesive platform like VOTF has.
Persevere in the faith. God is pruning the vine and clearing away all the unhealthy branches. There is new growth, Alleluia!
This past weekend I attended my other cousin's ordination to the priesthood (Fr. John Sistare's younger brother Fr. Juniper Mary Sistare of the CFRs in New York; Fr. Groeschel's order) at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. That evening I diaconated at his first mass up in the Bronx on 155th street at the Franciscan Priory. Fr. Benedict Groeschel, Fr. Apostoli, Fr. Bruce Nealy and a host of others, including 40+ priests from the order, many brothers and novices were in attendance. Also, more than 70 sisters of life and sisters of charity were there. All very young and vibrant and ORTHODOX. It was a beautiful sight to see for these 50+ year old eyes.
To be faithful; truly faithful to the Church, in these times, can be a lonely and perilous way of life. But it's rewards far outweigh the perils. Besides, the VOTF and Call to Action and CORPUS, as well as all the other CINO orgs out there are all "graying". I may not see their complete demise but I am certainly witnessing the renewal of Mother Church.