VATICAN CITY (AFP) - The Vatican said on Wednesday that it "takes note" of a damning United Nations report accusing it of failing to stamp out child abuse, but slammed criticism of its attitude to abortion as interference.

"The Holy See takes note of the concluding observations on its reports... (but) does, however, regret to see... an attempt to interfere with Catholic Church teaching on the dignity of the human person... (and) reiterates its commitment to defending and protecting the rights of the child," the Vatican said in a statement.