Negative.
That has no connection to the Vatican or the Roman Catholic Church at all.
They just put the name "Catholic" in there to announce that they operate in what they perceive to be the Catholic tradition. CINOs?
You wrote
"I'm aware of no American Catholic sect.". Well now you've been enlightened. Any Baltimore Catechism dropout knows that sects or schisms aren't affiliated with Rome. Obviously this reporter doesn't know the difference either.
sect (sèkt) noun
1.A group of people forming a distinct unit within a larger group by virtue of certain refinements or distinctions of belief or practice.
2.A religious body, especially one that has separated from a larger denomination.
3.A small faction united by common interests or beliefs.
[Middle English secte, from Old French, from Latin secta, course, school of thought, from feminine past participle of sequì, to follow.]