Parents tried to bring it to the attention of Archbishop John Francis Whealon in 1983 but were threatened with legal action by the archdiocese, said attorney Jason Tremont, a lawyer for the 43 people.

"By giving victims a voice, we can change the behaviour of the church and finally force the archdiocese to acknowledge responsibility for the past," Tremont said.

"The archbishop wants to begin the healing process for those whose lives have been seriously harmed by sexual abuse, and for the church itself," Gatzak said.

The archdiocese said six of the priests were dead and four were retired. Three others are no longer active in ministry. One remains active, and a sexual abuse review panel determined allegations against him were not credible, the diocese said.

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