The once-powerful archbishop of Newark has been defrocked, the highest ranking Roman Catholic cleric ever to be so punished.

The announcement came after Vatican officials found former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick guilty of sexually abusing boys and young men and soliciting sex, including while hearing confession. The 88-year-old disgraced former priest can no longer wear vestments, celebrate mass or perform sacraments.

A Kansas diocese says McCarrick will continue to live at a local friary “until a decision of permanent residence is finalized.”

The defrocking comes just days after New Jersey dioceses released the names of more than 180 priests “credibly accused” of sexually abusing minors — and days before Pope Francis is set to opens a first-ever gathering of the world’s bishops to tackle the sexual abuse crisis that has eroded the faith of many Catholics.

McCarrick served as Archbishop of Newark from 1986 to 2001.

Newark Cardinal Joseph Tobin said Saturday it’s “profoundly disheartening and disturbing” to know that McCarrick acted “contrary to the Christian way of life as well as his vocation as a priest.”