The former Erie Catholic Diocese priest who is serving time for sexually molesting two boys between 2002 and 2010 has been formally removed from the priesthood, according to a news release from the diocese.

David Poulson was sentenced in January to spend 2 years, 6 months to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children in October.

Poulson was notified by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on March 5 that he was released from all obligations attached to holy orders.

He is forbidden to function as a priest in the Catholic church and should no longer present himself as a priest and not be admitted as a priest in the celebration of the sacraments.

Poulson was first charged in May 2018 by the statewide Grand Jury that spent two years investigating clergy sex abuse in Erie and five other Catholic Diocese around the state. The panel identified 1,000 victim and more than 300 so-called predator priests.

Because of the statute of limitations, only Poulson and one other priest were charged.