Edward Gallagher (59), whose address was given as c/o Maghaberry Prison, appeared at a Preliminary Enquiry at Derry Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning.
Gallagher, who was parish priest in Moville from 2022 until 2024, faces a total of 116 charges and the charges are alleged to have occurred on dates between June 22, 2023 and April 18, 2025.
The charges include, among others, sexual communication with children and attempted sexual communication with children.
Speaking during the hearing at Derry Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, Defence solicitor Derwin Harvey told the court he had gone through the charges with Gallagher.
The solicitor told the court that there was no need for all 116 to be read out in court.
It was accepted during the hearing that there was a case to answer, and there were no contrary submissions.
Gallagher said he did not want to call any witnesses and did not wish to make any statement at this stage.
He was returned for trial to Derry Crown Court on a date to be fixed, and remains in custody.
Edward Gallagher was ordained in St. Brigid's Church in Carnhill on June 12, 1994.
He officiated as a priest at the Holy Family in Ballymagroarty, Cappagh, Tyrone, (2004), Limavady (2004-2013) and St Columba’s Long Tower (2013-2015). He had previously spent five years in Belize and was Parish Priest at Greencastle, Tyrone (2015-2022), Moville (2022-2024), before moving to to be curate of Camus and Clonleigh and Leckpatrick in the Strabane-Lifford district.