BOISE - The Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise on Wednesday said it has received an allegation of sexual abuse that happened decades ago involving a retired priest accused of child sexual exploitation.
The diocese said it received an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor that happened more than 40 years ago that involved Father W. Thomas Faucher.
Faucher is the retired St. Mary's Catholic Church pastor facing 12 counts of sexual exploitation of a child. The 72-year-old was arrested February 2 by investigators with the state attorney general's Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.
The diocese says it notified the state Attorney General's Office about the report, and the Diocesan Review Board for Sexual Abuse of Minors has also been told.
The man who made the allegation has asked that his identity be kept private.
Faucher bonded out of the Ada County Jail on February 6. He returned to the home where he has a rental lease agreement with St. Mary's Parish. The diocese confirmed to KTVB last week that they were trying to evict Faucher.
The diocese asks that anyone who's aware of abuse by clergy, diocesan employees or volunteers – past or present – call Veronica Childers, the diocesan safe environment coordinator, at 208-350-7556.
Faucher is due back in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing.
