Analysis: Action on pontifical secrecy widely praised, but US Catholics still waiting on McCarrick Vatican City, Dec 17, 2019 / 03:22 pm (CNA).- In a pair of unexpected decrees issued Tuesday morning, Pope Francis removed the obligation of pontifical secrecy from clerical sexual abuse cases, and strengthened the Church’s canonical prohibition against clerical possession of child pornography. Read more about Analysis: Action on pontifical secrecy widely praised, but US Catholics still waiting on McCarrick