RENOVO -- Dozens of priests, some in Clinton and Centre Counties, are accused of rape and molestation over the last four decades.
At a news conference Tuesday morning, the attorney general used abuse accusations from Clinton County as examples of how horrific these actions were. 11 of the alleged abusers served as priests there.
In a statement, the bishop from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown says he deeply regrets any harm that has come to children.
We went to Renovo, a community that has had suspicions for decades, but many were still shocked to hear men they trusted could be accused of molestation.
"This has given the Catholic Church a really bad light. I just wish they could put an end to it."
Some leaders of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in the heart of Renovo are accused of keeping a secret from their parishioners for decades.
"This is a small town and everything is kind of hush, hush. You don't want to step on any toes," said Jinny Serafini.
While some have had their suspicions, Attorney General Kathleen Kane put rumors to rest.
The attorney general has accused dozens of priests of rape and molestation, and two bishops of covering up their actions.
The claims come from a grand jury investigation of the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, which covers part of central Pennsylvania.
More than a half a dozen priests who served at St. Joe's were on the list.
"I've gone to St. Joe's forever, for 60 years, and the thought there were seven priests here that molested children, it's unbelievable. I can hardly believe it," said Serafini.
Serafini remembers two of the priests named in the investigation.
"I knew him, and as a matter of fact, there were young boys that were my age that went to the choir and stuff, and that it was wonderful that he took such interest in the boys, but to hear this is just unbelievable."
Some allegations happened almost 40 years ago. Kane says no one will be prosecuted because some of those priests are dead and because the statute of limitations has expired.
"The little children that he molested, the boys they had to keep that locked up inside. It's terrible and I'm sure they have problems to this day. It's terrible."
We met Bob Kozi at the senior center in South Renovo. He knew two of the priests personally.
"Fr. Bender more than any of them was pretty bad," he said.
Some of the people we spoke with say it was taboo to talk about their suspicions decades ago, but do know people who were invited to a cabin near Renovo by Fr. Bender.
"Anybody that was an altar boy was invited to go to the camp, spend the evening or two and do whatever," said Kozi.
The bishop from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown released a statement saying, "this is a painful and difficult time in our diocesan church. I deeply regret any harm that has come to children, and I urge the faithful to join me in praying for all victims of abuse."
"Of course, no priest could do no wrong. So everybody was quiet, everybody disbelieved, but come 45 years later and you say I wonder if it did really happen, and if it did that's a shame. That's really a shame," Kozi said.