The Abbé Pierre Foundation, Emmaüs France, and Emmaüs International have issued a joint statement acknowledging the accusations and expressing support for the victims.
Paris, France – The late Abbé Pierre, a renowned French priest and social justice advocate, has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by multiple women.
The allegations, spanning several decades, have sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church and the social justice movement he founded.
According to two reports commissioned by the nonprofits Abbé Pierre founded, at least two dozen women have come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, including groping, forced masturbation, and oral sex. The victims, ranging in age from 8 to adulthood, were mostly affiliated with the nonprofits or met Abbé Pierre through his charitable work.
Abbé Pierre, born Henri Antoine Grouès in 1912, was a celebrated figure in France, known for his tireless efforts to combat homelessness and poverty. He was voted the third-greatest French person of all time in a television poll and had streets, schools, and public parks named after him.
However, a much darker image has emerged in recent weeks, with allegations of sexual abuse and harassment surfacing against the late priest.
The Abbé Pierre Foundation, Emmaüs France, and Emmaüs International have issued a joint statement acknowledging the accusations and expressing support for the victims. The organizations have announced plans to remove Pierre’s name from their logos, public spaces, and institutions.
“Our movement knows what it owes to Abbé Pierre,” the organizations said in a joint statement. “Now, we must also confront the unacceptable suffering that he forced upon others.”
An independent commission will investigate how Pierre was able to act unimpeded for over half a century, despite rumors and warnings about his behavior. The probe will examine whether others knew about the abuse and failed to act.
Pope Francis comments on the allegations
Pope Francis has commented on the scandal, stating that Abbé Pierre was a “man who did a lot of good but was also a sinner.” The Pope emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging the Church to confront the truth and ensure justice for the victims.
“Abbé Pierre was a man who did a lot of good, but he was also a sinner,” Pope Francis said on the plane returning from a trip to Southeast Asia and Oceania. “We must speak clearly about these things and not hide them.”
The revelations have sparked widespread outrage and soul-searching in France, with many questioning how Abbé Pierre’s behavior went unchecked for so long. His legacy, once celebrated as a symbol of virtue, is now forever tarnished.
“That doesn’t change the good that he did in the past,” said Axelle Brodiez-Dolino, a historian at France’s National Center for Scientific Research who has written a book about Abbé Pierre and Emmaüs. “But there was a dark side to him that the broader public was completely unaware of.”
Several cities in France have announced plans to remove Abbé Pierre’s name from public spaces, including a plaque that was installed just months ago. The move aims to distance themselves from the scandal and promote a culture of accountability.
Pierre’s foundation announced plan to change its name
The Abbé Pierre Foundation has announced that it will change its name, while Emmaüs France will remove his name from its logo. The chapter on Abbé Pierre’s life and legacy is now closed, leaving behind a trail of devastation and betrayal. The social justice movement he founded must now rebuild trust and confront the dark secrets of its past.
“What we are trying to do through these measures isn’t to forget Abbé Pierre or obfuscate his role,” said Adrien Chaboche, the chief executive of Emmaüs International. “What we are changing is the way that we, as a movement and as associations, present ourselves to the world — and we can’t do that with a figurehead who now embodies such a disgraceful and reprehensible reality.”
Join our Channel...