Adds credibility to the idea the church poohbahs know it's all made up bullshit anyhow, and if something comes along that requires twisting, pounding, subverting or contradicting long established church doctrine to accommodate, they will take their chances pissing off a God they made up. And the pew warmers aren't supposed to notice.
The granting of a pardon is an imputation of guilt, and the acceptance a confession of it.
