I believe they call this rationalization.

Priest Says He Took Money Because He Was Underpaid
Priest who misappropriated millions of dollars from a church says he saw himself as the CEO of a multimillion-dollar company who wasn't properly compensated.

Priests hid cash from collection plates in ceilings
Used donations to pay off witnesses who could turn them in

Palm Beach diocese one of nation's worst
Priest embezzlers, sex abuse crimes, two gay bishops