Pope Francis has abolished the “pontifical secret” mechanism that has been invoked in clergy sexual abuse cases, following criticism that the confidential code has been used to protect pedophiles in the Roman Catholic church. In a document published Tuesday, Francis ruled that information in abuse cases will still be be protected by church leaders, but that the “pontifical secret” no longer applies to abuse-related accusations and trials.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/pope-francis-abolishes-pontifical-secret-in-clergy-sex-abuse-cases
https://www.thedailybeast.com/pope-francis-abolishes-pontifical-secret-in-clergy-sex-abuse-cases