An older story, but worth noting for those who dabble in the vagante world.

This is why I am a firm believer in the Cyprianic definition of Orders. If one is in the Church you are ok, outside the Church, who knows… Also, to answer any response to those who would say that they are part of the “Old Catholic Union of Utrecht,” the Utrecht Union does not recognize any denomination in the United States or Canada other than the Episcopal Church. A list of member Churches is here.

The “Reformed Catholic Church,” a vagante group, fell apart in late November, early December amid a scandal involving its “Archbishop” and other “clergy.” The Columbus Dispatch covered the details in Catholicism offshoot dissolves after scandals:

An independent Catholic denomination with its global headquarters in Columbus has disbanded, having been torn apart after publicity about the criminal backgrounds of its top leader and a former priest.

Critics of former Archbishop Phillip Zimmerman of the Reformed Catholic Church say he covered up his 2005 felony conviction and allowed participation by a convicted child molester.

…

Zimmerman resigned last week because “I was becoming the focus of controversy,” he said Wednesday. The church’s bishops then voted to dissolve the denomination, which was founded in 2000.

Individual parishes probably will continue to operate. Most Reformed Catholic congregations rent space or meet in homes, and none received funding from the Columbus headquarters.

Zimmerman said he will continue to serve at the Ascension of Our Lord Basilica on E. Broad Street on the Near East Side, which will stay open. He wouldn’t rule out organizing a new denomination.

…

Its membership numbers are difficult to pin down, but Zimmerman has estimated the worldwide body at 200,000. A Web site lists six parishes and missions in Ohio; it’s unclear if they all have a physical address.

At the Ascension of Our Lord Basilica, the most-attended Sunday Mass might have 30 or 40 people, said Bishop Marcis Heckman, the church rector.

Zimmerman came under fire when e-mails and Internet postings pointed out that a convicted child molester and former priest was allowed to participate in the denomination’s annual meeting in October. Sean-Michael Lyons wore vestments and sat with priests during Masses.

Then, news of Zimmerman’s own conviction circulated online.

Zimmerman, whose full name is George Richard Phillip Zimmerman, pleaded guilty in 2005 to fraud for his role in a scheme that cost the U.S. Department of Education more than $533,000…

Per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, this was the group that the Rev. Marek Bozek (could have developed something if he sought Catholicism rather than vagante fun and other nonsense) had reached out to for coverage.