Bishop John B. McCormack also acknowledged that some of the 14 were returned to duty after doctors deemed them fit, a practice he acknowledged Friday was wrong.

A similar policy in the Boston archdiocese, also recently rescinded, has caused an uproar in Massachusetts that has included demands for Cardinal Bernard Law’s resignation.

McCormack was a top church official in Boston before becoming bishop in Manchester in 1998. He and Law are among those named in dozens of civil lawsuits accusing the Boston archdiocese of turning a blind eye toward pedophile priests.

"What I report is sad in one way because it is about sin, sickness and crime," McCormack said at a news conference Friday. "And yet in another way it is hopeful news in that our church and community will know that no priest is now serving in ministry who has to our knowledge engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor."

Of the 14 priests, one — the Rev. John R. Poirier of Holy Family Parish in Gorham, formerly of St. Joseph's Church in Dover — was actively working. He was barred from working as a priest effective Friday. Seven other priests, all retired or previously suspended, received the same discipline in the past.

The remaining six were retired or on sick leave. Effective Friday, they were barred from celebrating Mass.

After meeting with officials from the diocese and consulting county prosecutors, Attorney General Philip McLaughlin said this week he knew of no priests under investigation for sexually abusing children. Friday’s report presumably will lead to investigations.

"I would expect that the attorney general, now having the information, will do his duty," said the Rev. Edward Arsenault, diocesan chancellor.

Arsenault said there have been monetary settlements with some of the victims in New Hampshire. He declined to give details.

Three New Hampshire priests convicted in the 1990s of sexually abusing minors were not on the list. The Rev. Gordon MacRae and the Rev. Roger Fortier are serving prison terms. The Rev. Leo Shea received a three- to six-year prison term when he was convicted in 1994. He is retired and living in Danbury, according to the 2001 diocesan directory.

Also not on the list is the Rev. Frederick Guthrie, 65, of Newbury, Mass. He was arrested in November in Nashua and charged with using a computer to solicit a minor.

In Massachusetts, Law has apologized for transferring former priest John Geoghan to other churches after learning of accusations against him.

Geoghan is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy. At least 130 people have accused him of abuse; he faces two more criminal trials and 80 civil lawsuits.

Church officials in Massachusetts have scoured records for accusations against other priests. Eighty Massachusetts priests have been identified in recent weeks as having abused children during the past 40 years.

Arsenault said a review of New Hampshire records began last week. At meetings with the accused priests Thursday, all reacted with "a deep sense of sadness," he said.

McCormack will tell New Hampshire Catholics about the allegations in a letter scheduled to be discussed at churches around the state this weekend.

"Today is a difficult day, but I hope that you will see this painful disclosure in the context of hundreds of years of faithful service by priests to the people of New Hampshire," McCormack said. "I firmly believe with faith in the Lord of Life that our future is full of hope."

The 14 priests are: John R. Poirier, Gorham; Albert L. Boulanger, retired, of Manchester; Gerard F. Chalifour, retired, of Manchester; Robert J. Densmore, retired, of Manchester; Raymond H. Laferriere, retired, of Manchester; Conrad V. LaForest, sick leave, of Winnisquam; Romeo J. Valliere, retired, of Berlin; Paul L. Aube, suspended, of Manchester; Eugene Pelletier, retired, of Manchester; Albion F. Bulger, retired, of Nashua; Joseph A. Cote, retired, of Berlin; Joseph T. Maguire, retired, of Hyannis, Mass.; Stephen Scruton, suspended, of Dover; and Francis J. Talbot, suspended, of Manchester.