The significance of the minister in society has always been acknowledged. He has always played an important social role and, because of his particular authority, is expected to be a model for his parishioners. The situation of a religious leader is markedly different from that of any other figure of authority. Venial sins may be forgiven more easily in a leader whose duties are secular because, after all, the public duties of such a leader need not involve the attempt to better men's souls. The duties of a priest or a parson. on the other hand, make him responsible for the betterment of men's souls - and the assumption is that the minister himself is a role-model. In other words, he is expected to be "better" than those around him: more devout,less prone to sin, and most importantly, above suspicion of any kind.