Quote Originally Posted by HoreTore View Post
....and that would beg the question; why is he permitted to behave like this by his superiors?
Most likely because Protestant denominations aren't big on the defrocking and excomunication. I prefer it that way, persoanlly, it's better overall.

The priest in question is employed by the state. Now, you can say a lot about the state, but that they pay high wages ain't one of 'em. A priest here is just middle class, nothing more than any other 4-year(I think?) university degree would get you, his financial situation would be the same as a teacher or an engineer with a bachelor, above and industrial worker but way below a doctor or marketing guy, for example.
In the UK, priests keep the revenues from the marrigae, baptisms, etc. they perform.