A former Waikato Catholic priest convicted and jailed for molesting young boys in the 1970s and 80s has today again been jailed.

Father Mark Mannix Brown pleaded guilty to four representative charges when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court in May this year.

Judge Simon Menzies sentenced Brown to 26 months' jail.

Two of his three victims were in court today, one of whom read his victim impact statement to the judge.

Crown prosecutor Louella Dunn said prison was the only appropriate way to deal with the offending, while Brown's lawyer Mark Sturm said home detention was more suitable.

Storm said his client actively participated in restorative justice with one victim and had not offended since his release from jail were all key features.

The former priest was jailed for 15 months in March 1990 for indecently assaulting two altar boys in the 1980s.

The now 74-year-old was the parish priest at St Mary's Church, Hamilton, when this offending occurred.

In June last year a further 11 charges were laid involving three new victims who were abused between 1973 and 1986.

The Crown laid four representative charges of indecent assault on a boy aged 12 to 16, attempted sodomy and indecent assault on a male.

The charges involve three victims who, at the time, ranged in age from 6 to 16.

Judge Menzies said the sentencing had "unusual complexities" as there were multiple vulnerable victims who were abused while he was in a position of power, however he hadn't offended in more than 30 years and didn't pose a risk to the community.

He gave further discount for his good behaviour since the 1990s and age but not within the home detention range.