Often religious zealots, especially those who have been in their churches a long time and have ascended into authority positions, begin to think that they are above the law and self-righteous and justified in everything they do. Plus they'll often have zealot followers who support them unconditionally.
I suppose that according to their own religious teachings they will be punished in the afterlife... that's not much solace to people here and now, but no matter how offended and vengeful you feel it's hard to act on your feelings without getting disciplined by the law yourself.