The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s says it accepts last month’s court ruling that confirmed the Church is responsible for abuse that occurred at Mount Cashel Orphanage in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s.

Archibishop Peter Hundt made the announcement Sunday in a statement to media and which was read aloud at masses throughout the diocese. He said there would be no further comment at this time.

The Church called it the final decision in the case, saying it must now move to address the abuse claims “to the best of our ability and in justice to the victims.”

Hundt told parishioners the ruling will have significant financial implications for the entire archdiocese, noting there will be changes and sacrifices required.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court of Appeal ruled last July that the Church was liable for the abuse.

But in September, the archdiocese asked to appeal that decision, saying the ruling set a precedent with “profound implications” for its future operations.

Last month, the Supreme Court of Canada denied a further appeal by the Church, effectively exhausting all of its legal options.

Lawyer Geoff Budden says the archdiocese will have to pay at least $2-million, which will be shared by the four lead plaintiffs, who are now in their 70s and 80s, as well as dozens of others affected by the abuse. Some of the victims have since passed away since the initial claim was initiated 30 years ago.

Other abuse charges and claims from the 1970s and ’80s were finalized in separate settlements in the late 1990s.