French church calls for judicial investigation into Abbé Pierre following new sex abuse allegations
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PARIS (AP) — The French Catholic Church has formally requested that prosecutors initiate an investigation into Abbé Pierre, a once-revered priest and humanitarian icon who died in 2007, following new revelations of sexual violence.
Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops Conference (CEF), announced the move during an interview on RMC radio on Friday. “We must get to the bottom of the truth — uncover any additional victims, accomplices, and failures to report these crimes,” he said.
Who was Abbé Pierre?
Born Henri Grouès in 1912, Abbé Pierre was a French Catholic priest renowned for his dedication to aiding the poor and homeless.
In 1949, he founded the Emmaüs movement, an international organization focused on combating poverty and homelessness.
His humanitarian efforts, especially during the harsh winter of 1954, garnered him widespread admiration, and he was often regarded as the conscience of France.
Emergence of allegations
The allegations against Abbé Pierre surfaced posthumously, significantly tarnishing his legacy years after his death.
In July 2024, Emmaüs International and the Fondation Abbé Pierre released a report detailing accusations from seven women, including one who was a minor at the time, alleging sexual assault and harassment by Abbé Pierre between the late 1970s and 2005.
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