I'm not catholic. So I could care less what the vatican says. My church is structured much like a republic when you go up the chain (local church is led by the elders - spiritually and deacons - physically).

Post writing of the Bible, about every 500 years have been major milestones in a return to the faith. Nicea, Thomas Aquinas, Reformation, Great Awakening (1st and so far, only). We are approaching the next one. These major milestones were not generated, generally, in one lifetime. There was things that led up to it, things that paved the way. These things were not controlled by the elites, the elites tried very hard to stop them. They continued and succeeded by the grace of God. I don't blindly believe everything I hear from any particular person/people. I have reasoning, convictions, and experience I use. This all stems from gifts that God has given each of us. The problem is that people mistake the order, putting reasoning above God's word, except that the reasoning used is never their own, but another's. Someone plants the seed of doubt, and each of us waters it until it grows in strength. God gives us the Bible. God commands us to test that which we hear. Test ministers, test the scriptures, test, test, test. That is how the Bible today has come to be. Not from the overlords in the vatican, but by people seeking truth, fought and died to that system, and caused a seismic wave across the world. People have carried on that torch. There was no "system" to hand the torch to. The system would have destroyed the torch, which lights our way even today. The elite, cabal, system, whatever name you give them, have sought to maintain power throughout many many centuries. They do so, as you say, by manipulation. They use that manipulation in multiple ways. They control finances, religious facilities, governments, schools, resources to make people think how they would prefer the masses to think. Then there's the outsiders, the rebels. They aren't powerless against them, they utilize different techniques, just like in republican politics today. You get someone in there to stir up trouble, and if they do a good enough job, they can prevent unity in the outsiders, rebels, etc.

You are free to call it a "dark" reply, and I don't deny it is. But it is also the reality we live in. There will never be a perfect government. That being said, you must strive, daily, to make the best for you, yours, and those around you. You ought to seek to make life better for everyone. The number 1 way to do that, is government reform. Get the government out of people's lives. Let local communities, churches and the like, to take care of those in need. Great governments are not noticed in daily life, and a free society is like a rising tide lifting all boats.

The proof of young earth is actually spit upon by the people you accuse me of holding up which is kind of funny/ironic. On the contrary, those who show valid evidence of a young earth are silenced and shunned. Makes you wonder, with everything you see nowadays...