The Vatican in Rome has dismissed a former Boise Catholic priest from the clerical state after hearing that he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, for possessing and distributing child pornography.

Last December, Rev. Thomas Faucher pleaded guilty to four child exploitation charges and a single count of possession of a controlled substance back in September.

The decision came in a letter and states that Faucher’s case was presented to Pope Francis, after which the Pope decreed that Faucher was removed from the clerical state.

CBS 2 News reports, Faucher opposed the action, exercising his right of defense through an advocate who presented his case to the Vatican.