How unfortunate. But...the interaction between "clergy" and "church member" (for lack of a better word) is highly unregulated. It's not an attempt to diminish religious freedom(s), but to control the environment. How familiar are you with the totality of Mexican cartel influence in the U.S.? I can assure you, it stretches much further than you think.

"Stupidity is the basic building block of the universe."

Zappa