Oddly enough, Ladislaus, according to my family member, to seek counsel and follow the advise of a priest or a religious counselor is to take away ones independent thought process to think for yourself, which surrenders one's free will to a human being.
Yes, JPM, all my family members are Catholics, "cradle catholics" if you will. Yes, many times seeking guidance from others, non clergy/religious, has been sought to seek the input of those more learned than I. I do believe that lay people are bound in conscience to be learned on the faith, although not perhaps to the level of a priest/clergy.
Unfortunately, one of my family members, the one who is making the above mentioned claims, is a younger sibling, deeply hurt by a very troubled past in the catholic schools we attended. He has found a niche with a very small group of Catholics in the area. He, certainly, is not coming up with this claim on his own, and has his own sources for such information. Basic facts as I know them: They at one time claimed Traditional Catholicism, yet do not define themselves currently as Traditional Catholics, which is not surprising all things considered (long story to their history!). They still remain Latin Rite Catholics, by definition. They have advised my sibling that (Literally!) all other Catholic/traditional Catholic churches in the area/around the world are heretical and they are the last true Church of Christ. Their pastor has been rehabbing for the past 2 years in a nursing facility, due to extreme poor health, and unable to offer Masses or the sacraments on a regular basis. My sibling is in continued contact with the religious nuns associated with this small faction. Free/independent/personal thinking, without seeking counsel, is their current mantra. Will I continue to seek advise from others, religious, or otherwise? ABSOLUTELY! Without a doubt.