TLRC and Former CMRI Clergy

Overview

Documentation indicates significant turnover among clergy associated with the TLRC and CMRI throughout the organization's history. Of the original priests who worked with the TLRC during its formation, most eventually severed their associations with the group. Similarly, many priests ordained by the CMRI since 1985 have subsequently left the organization or established independent ministries.

This pattern of clerical departures reflects broader challenges facing independent traditionalist Catholic organizations, including questions of episcopal oversight, institutional stability, and theological differences among clergy members.

Early Associated Priests (1967-1984)

Pre-Consecration Associates

Several priests from mainstream Catholic institutions initially provided sacramental services to the early TLRC community before Schuckardt's 1971 consecration:

  • Fr. Clement C. Kubesh: Joined from the Diocese of Omaha in 1971 and remained with the organization through the early 1980s. Left the group prior to the 1984 crisis. According to some accounts, he expressed concerns about organizational leadership before his departure. Biographical information available.
  • Fr. Burton J. Fraser, S.J.: Served as spiritual advisor and encouraged Schuckardt's episcopal consecration. Died in a vehicle accident in Colorado in 1971, shortly before the consecration ceremony. Later appeared on diocesan lists of credibly accused clergy (documented cases).
  • Fr. Joseph Pineau: Joined from the Diocese of Spokane after retirement in 1968. Left the organization and relocated to California. Subsequently appeared on diocesan disclosure lists regarding abuse allegations (documented cases).
  • Fr. Lawrence S. Brey: Early associate who authored introductory materials for traditionalist liturgical critiques. Left to establish independent traditional Catholic educational work in Minnesota. Later faced legal proceedings regarding historical abuse allegations (documented cases).
  • Fr. George Kathrein, C.Ss.R.: Provided early sacramental assistance but subsequently joined the Society of Saint Pius X. His biography has been published by Angelus Press.
Rev. Clement C. Kubesh
Rev. Clement C. Kubesh (pictured left)

Schuckardt-Ordained Priests

Bishop Schuckardt ordained six priests during his tenure. Following the 1984 organizational split:

  • Fr. Denis Chicoine: Vicar General who led the majority faction after 1984. Removed from leadership in 1989 through a vote of no confidence and relocated to New Zealand. Returned to Mount Saint Michael before his death in 1995.
  • Fr. James McGilloway: Remained with the CMRI faction after 1984
  • Fr. Benedict Hughes (Fr. Mary Benedict): Remained with the CMRI faction after 1984
  • Fr. Alphonsus Maria (Mark Joseph Barnes): Accompanied Schuckardt in 1984 and remained with his faction

1984 Split Participants

Court documentation from Utah case law lists individuals who left Mount Saint Michael with Schuckardt in 1984:

  • Andrew Karl Jacobs (Brother Mary Fidelis): Consecrated bishop by Schuckardt in 2006 and designated as his successor
  • Joseph Marie Belzac (Brother John Francis Marie): Consecrated bishop by Schuckardt in 2006 but later questioned the validity of his consecration and operates independently. Maintains personal website
  • Gabriel Gorbet (Brother Isaac Jogues Marie)
  • Michael Mangold (Frater Phillip Marie)
  • Vladimiar Boridin (Brother Longiuns)
  • Courtney Krier (Frater Matthew Marie)
  • Raymond Kosch (Frater Clement Marie)
  • Terry Horwath (Brother Mary Mathias)

Post-1984 CMRI Clergy Departures

Since Bishop Pivarunas's consecration in 1991, numerous priests ordained by the CMRI have subsequently left the organization. Documented departures include:

Independent Ministry Establishments

  • Fr. Gerald Kasik: Ordained around 1995, later associated with St. Gertrude The Great in Ohio. Operates Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Spokane
  • Fr. Kevin Vaillancourt (Fr. Thomas Marie): Ordained in 1985 by Bishop Musey, later associated with St. Gertrude The Great. Died in 2022
  • Fr. Adam V. Cyr: Associated with Bishop Dolan and St. Gertrude The Great around 2010, later moved to northern Idaho
  • Fr. Anthony Short and Rev. Crawford: Relocated to Minnesota with a small community

Returns to Secular Life

  • Fr. Louis Kerfoot: Left the CMRI in 2001 and married. His brother Mike Kerfoot and family had previously left the organization during the 1970s
  • Terence Robert Fulham: Ordained by Bishop Pivarunas, later sought episcopal consecration through the Duarte Costa lineage. Died in 2017

Brief Associations

  • Fr. Michael Oswalt: Joined from mainstream Catholic priesthood but left within five years
  • Fr. Paul: Left the CMRI, briefly associated with "The Apostles of Infinite Love," and now operates independently near the City of Mary
  • Fr. Bernard Uttely OSB: Left the organization on unfavorable terms
  • Fr. Marcellus Moylan: Seminary formation under Bishop Pivarunas but left before completing his association

Patterns and Analysis

Institutional Challenges

The documented pattern of clerical departures suggests several institutional challenges:

  • Questions of episcopal oversight and accountability in independent organizations
  • Theological and administrative differences among clergy
  • Personal and professional conflicts within closed religious communities
  • Transitions between different leadership generations and approaches

Contemporary Implications

Former CMRI clergy have established various independent operations, joined other traditionalist organizations, or returned to secular life. Some maintain chapels that serve traditionalist Catholic communities while operating independently from the CMRI's institutional structure.

The geographic concentration of traditionalist Catholic clergy in the Pacific Northwest reflects both historical factors related to the TLRC's origins and ongoing preferences for rural or semi-rural locations among traditionalist communities.

Research Considerations

Documentation of clerical movements and departures relies on various sources including:

  • Court records and legal proceedings
  • Contemporary news coverage
  • Organizational publications and announcements
  • Personal accounts and testimony
  • Property records and chapel listings

Researchers should note that motivations for clerical departures are often complex and may involve personal, theological, administrative, or other factors that are not fully documented in public sources.