Pope Francis has abolished the pontifical secret used in clergy sexual abuse cases, after mounting criticism.<br />''<br />''The high degree of confidentiality has been used to protect pedophiles, silence victims and keep law enforcement from investigating crimes.<br />''<br />''In a new document, Francis decreed that information in abuse cases must be protected by church leaders to ensure its security, integrity and confidentiality.<br />''<br />''The new law was issued today on Francis' 83rd birthday, as he struggles to respond to the global explosion of the abuse scandal.<br />''<br />''The Vatican had long insisted that confidentiality was necessary to protect the privacy of the victim, the reputation of the accused and the integrity of the canonical process.<br />''<br />