PARIS (AP) — The French church has formally requested that prosecutors open 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’ Convention, CEF, introduced the transfer Friday.
“We should unravel the reality — uncover any further victims, accomplices, and failures to report these crimes,” he instructed RMC radio.
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Abbé Pierre, born Henri Grouès, was celebrated for his tireless work with the poor and for founding the Emmaüs motion, which aids the homeless and marginalized. Nevertheless, his legacy is now being overshadowed by mounting allegations of abuse.
A 3rd report commissioned by Emmaüs and printed earlier this week revealed 9 new accusations of sexual violence, together with the rape of a younger boy. These newest revelations convey the overall variety of testimonies in opposition to Abbé Pierre to 33, figuring out 57 potential victims, with incidents spanning the Nineteen Sixties to the 2000s.
The CEF additionally issued a press release Friday highlighting the seriousness of the allegations and acknowledging its personal previous failings. It emphasised the necessity for judicial motion to uncover the total extent of the abuse and any systemic silences that will have allowed it to persist.
“The justice system has the required instruments to uncover the whole fact concerning the silences and non-disclosures that will have shielded Abbé Pierre,” the assertion learn.
De Moulins-Beaufort revealed that Catholic management had been conscious of troubling considerations about Abbé Pierre as early because the Nineteen Fifties.
“Within the years 1955 to 1957, sure behaviors raised alarm. Makes an attempt have been made to restrict his affect and ship him to a clinic in Switzerland, however he managed to evade these measures,” he instructed RMC.
The most recent revelations are based mostly on two televised documentaries and reviews by the consulting agency Egae, which paints a disturbing portrait of Abbé Pierre as somebody who used his place and affect to abuse those that trusted him.
“With every report, we cross one other threshold in understanding what Abbé Pierre might have performed and the system he appeared to have constructed,” de Moulins-Beaufort stated.
The CEF expressed solidarity with the victims and inspired anybody impacted by Abbé Pierre’s actions to come back ahead. Devoted hotlines have been arrange by the church and Emmaüs to supply help to victims.
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