Paris prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they are unable to pursue inquiries into accusations made by multiple women who claim they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Abbé Pierre, a highly respected priest and humanitarian who passed away in 2007.

These allegations initially emerged last year and were elaborated on in a report produced by Abbé Pierre’s foundations. Last month, the French Catholic Church appealed to prosecutors to investigate these claims, expressing the desire to uncover the full scope of the alleged abuses, identify any other victims, and reveal any systemic cover-ups.

The Paris prosecutor’s office stated on Tuesday that while they examined potential legal avenues, Abbé Pierre’s death poses a barrier to launching an investigation into his historical actions.

Authorities also considered probing those who might have concealed or failed to report the allegations, but due to the statute of limitations, no further actions can be taken.

Abbé Pierre was known as a steadfast supporter of the impoverished and homeless during his lifetime and was often viewed as the moral compass of France. He established the Emmaüs movement in 1949, a global initiative aimed at addressing poverty and homelessness.

The accusations against him represent a significant moment in France’s ongoing examination of clerical abuse issues.

In July 2024, Emmaüs International and the Fondation Abbé Pierre released findings from a report that cited allegations from seven women, one of whom was a minor at the time, claiming sexual harassment and assault by Abbé Pierre between the late 1970s and 2005. A special channel set up for victims resulted in 17 more accusations, with reported incidents spanning from the 1950s to the 2000s and occurring in multiple countries, such as France, the United States, Morocco, and Switzerland.