I’ve seen lay Catholics excuse in excess in themselves what that Catholic priest does in moderation.
The justification is that if the priest can do and God is going to let him into heaven, God can’t keep me out for the same thing. After all, he’s a priest and if he can do it a lot, I can do it more because I’m not a priest and don’t have to be held to as high a standard.
But abuse is sin, and ultimately it's not the priest's or pastor's fault. If the priest/pastor knew about it they would condemn it. If they didn't then they would be culpable.
The justification ...
Men use all kinds of excuses for their sin. Sometimes that excuse involves others (my father beat me as a child so I rob banks). It's rarely justified.