Official announcements from the French Catholic Church or CEF

French Church Requests Probe Into Abbé Pierre After 33 Testimonies, 57 Potential Victims Revealed by Emmaüs and Egae Reports

Jan 17, 2025, 08:14 AM

The French Catholic Church has requested a judicial investigation into Abbé Pierre, a revered priest and humanitarian icon who died in 2007, following new allegations of sexual violence. Archbishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops' Conference (CEF), announced the move, emphasizing the need to uncover any additional victims, accomplices, and failures to report these crimes. A third report commissioned by Emmaüs, along with the Egae report, revealed nine new accusations of sexual violence against Abbé Pierre, including the rape of a young boy, bringing the total number of testimonies to 33 and identifying 57 potential victims. These allegations span from the 1960s to the 2000s and involve potential victims from within his family. Concerns about Abbé Pierre's behavior were noted as early as the 1950s. The CEF has acknowledged past failings and stressed the importance of judicial action to fully understand the extent of the abuse and any systemic silences that may have allowed it to persist. The church has also encouraged victims to come forward, with dedicated support lines established by both the church and Emmaüs. In response to these revelations, the CEF opened its archives on Abbé Pierre in September.