The chairwoman of the UN committee that issued a sharply critical
report on the Holy See’s handling of sexual abuse has defended that
report against Vatican charges of unfair treatment.
Kirsten Sandberg, who chairs the UN Committee on the Rights of the
Child, said that her committee issued its report only after “objectively
examining all relevant information.”
She swept aside charges that the
committee had drafted its final report before hearing from Vatican
officials, and a complaint that the committee had drawn its information
primarily from groups critical of the Church.
Sandberg said that her committee “welcomed the open and constructive
dialogue it had with the delegation of the Holy See, which made positive
commitments in numerous areas.”
She said that she was particularly
gratified by the Vatican officials’ commitment “to change attitudes and
practices,” and looks forward to the implementation of her committee’s
recommendations.