46 states' dioceses feel impact from sex scandals

At least 177 priests suspected of molesting minors have either resigned or been taken off duty in 28 states and the District of Columbia since the clerical sex scandal erupted in January, a nationwide review of Roman Catholic dioceses by The Associated Press found.

The review also showed that in 18 other states, where priests have not been taken off the job, dioceses still have responded to the crisis in a variety of ways. They include turning over allegations to prosecutors, scouring personnel records to see whether old claims were properly handled, and reviewing and publicizing policies for handling complaints.

In the end, the review found only four states -- Arkansas, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming -- where the scandal seems to have had no impact on the way the church operates.

"It's been years since I've met a diocesan attorney who said, 'I'm lucky, I haven't had any cases,"' said Patrick Schiltz, a lawyer who has defended dioceses against hundreds of claims.

Interviews were conducted nationwide with Catholic officials last week about the scandal's impact in their dioceses. The information collected helps demonstrate how the crisis has developed in just four months.

For instance, bishops have given law enforcement authorities details of claims against at least 260 clergymen. Some of those priests are among those taken off duty but others are long retired, and state attorneys say many of the cases are probably too old to prosecute.