Members of the Catholic faith gathered at Saint Andrews in Johnstown for a prayer service for victims and survivors of sexual abuse. 

 

Paul Claar stood outside of Saint Andrews before the prayer service. representing those victims. 

 

"I went to the diocese back in 1994 with my claim," remembered victim Paul Claar. "Had a lawsuit that was settled in 2004 which was ironically a decade to the day later and was hoping to bring exposure to it then.This is not to discredit this religion. My goal is to promote our religion but it needs cleaned up."

 

He hopes to see change in the church. 

 

"Just have more accountability, transparency into the problem and to address the problems that people keep putting under the rug."

 

Monday night's prayer service was a chance for the faithful to heal since the reports of sexual abuse.

 

"I hope they're about awareness about the pervasiveness of the problem and the need for people to open their hearts to those who feel that they have had their dignity stolen from them by someone else," said attendee Scott Little.

 

Tony DeGol with the diocese says remembering the victims and their pain is the path to healing. 

 

"That has to continue well beyond this week. We have to remember them everyday and never forget the hurt they're feeling and renew our commitment to make sure something like this never happens in our church again."

 

Little's faith hasn't been broken since the allegations. 

 

"I think it's important for everyone involved in the church , clergy everyone to most importantly focus on the abused and the need for prayers for them and healing. also for us as a church to focus on the issue as it exists everywhere."

 

The next prayer service will be held tomorrow in Altoona at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. The last one will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church in State College.