What power does Reverend Parris hold, how does his power change throughout the book, and does he ever abuse his power?

The Rev. Samuel Parris is the pastor in Salem. As a member of the theocracy, his power in Salem is secure until he invites Rev. John Hale to come and investigate whether his daughter and the daughter of the Putnams are bewitched. Reverend Hale's probing questions and the interrogation of Tituba and the girls unleash issues that quickly grow beyond Parris's control.
Once Hale and Parris provoke confessions from Tituba, Betty, Abigail, and other girls, hysteria breaks out in the village. Accusations come from many sources, and trials begin in earnest. When Danforth and Hathorne arrive in Salem, Parris and Hale are outranked by these senior government officials who preside over the trials. However, Parris does have the power to excommunicate citizens from the Salem church, and he is only too glad to do so when the wives of his political enemies, Nurse, Corey and Proctor are accused. Parris's swift excommunication and support for the hangings of Salem's accused are an abuse of his power. He also has a role in the unjust execution of Giles Corey by attempting to force him to either confess or implicate others.