PARIS — The French Catholic Church has officially asked prosecutors to launch an investigation into Abbé Pierre, a priest and noted humanitarian figure who passed away in 2007, amid serious new allegations of sexual violence.
During an interview with RMC radio, Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, who serves as president of the French Bishops Conference (CEF), made the announcement. He stated, “We must seek the truth — to identify any additional victims, accomplices, and failures to report these crimes.”
Abbé Pierre, whose birth name was Henri Grouès, was born in 1912 and became well-known for his commitment to helping the poor and homeless in France. In 1949, he established the Emmaüs movement, a global initiative aimed at eradicating poverty and homelessness. His humanitarian endeavors, particularly during the harsh winter of 1954, earned him widespread recognition, and he was often considered a moral compass for the nation.
The emergence of allegations against Abbé Pierre has surfaced posthumously, casting a shadow over his longstanding reputation. In July 2024, both Emmaüs International and the Fondation Abbé Pierre published a report that included accounts from seven women, one of whom was a minor at the time, claiming sexual assault and harassment by Abbé Pierre occurring between the late 1970s and 2005. Following these allegations, a new channel for victims was established, leading to 17 additional accusations of misconduct stretching from the 1950s to the 2000s across multiple countries, including France, the United States, Morocco, and Switzerland.
In response to these serious allegations, Archbishop Moulins-Beaufort reiterated the Church’s commitment to uncovering the truth during his radio interview, advocating for a formal investigation into Abbé Pierre. He underscored the urgency in identifying more victims, accomplices, and instances of unreported crimes. Additionally, the bishops conference released a statement acknowledging the severity of the allegations and recognizing past shortcomings in addressing warning signs. The conference called for judicial measures to reveal the full extent of the abuses and any systemic complacency that allowed such actions to go unpunished.
These allegations mark a pivotal moment in France’s ongoing struggle with clerical abuse. In 2021, the Independent Commission on Sexual Abuse in the Church disclosed that an estimated 330,000 children had suffered sexual abuse at the hands of clergy or church-associated individuals over the past seven decades. The findings pointed to a concerted effort among church officials to cover up these abuses and urged for substantial reforms within the institution.
To confront the historical abuses, the French Church initiated a reparations program in 2022, managed by the Independent National Authority for Recognition and Reparation (INIRR). This program aims to provide victims with both financial compensation and psychological support. By March 2023, over 1,180 victims had come forward, with 404 receiving assistance from the INIRR. Approximately 201 victims had already been awarded reparations, which may also include non-financial support such as organizing family mediation or creating memorials for victims. Compensation amounts can reach up to 60,000 euros ($63,000), with most recipients reporting severe criminal offenses, including rape and repeated abuse over extended periods. Yet, many critics continue to argue that comprehensive reform of the Church is essential.
