the first reactions after the testimonies which overwhelm the founder of Emmaüs
Personalities from the political and community world react after the publication of a report that implicates Abbé Pierre for acts of sexual assault. On Twitter, the Church of France welcomes a necessary “work of truth”, and several personalities, such as Martin Hirsch, express their support for the alleged victims.
Since Wednesday, July 17, tributes to Abbé Pierre have been replaced by messages of indignation on social networks. The Emmaüs International movement has published an investigation report, in which seven women testify to sexual assaults and inappropriate solicitations. Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, is said to have committed these acts between the end of the 1970s and 2005, according to the press release posted online by the Emmaüs International movement on X (ex-Twitter).
The president of Emmaüs France, Bruno Morel, “salutes the courage of the women who had the strength to testify” on the networks, and also published a video in which he speaks. “The Emmaüs movement fights all forms of violence and intends to denounce the acts committed by a person who played a major role in the Movement” he affirms.
In the ecosystem founded by Abbé Pierre, Marie-Hélène Le Nédic, president of the Abbé-Pierre Foundation, declared on X: “The shock is immense for us. The priority is to demonstrate total transparency and do everything in our capacity to help and support the people who have had the courage to testify.”
The former president of Emmaüs France, Martin Hirsch, also praised the “rigorous work” of the movement, “placing itself on the side of the truth and the victims”.
Church expresses “compassion” and “shame”
The Church was quick to react, to express its support for the alleged victims, after the succession of sexual abuse scandals that have shaken the institution. On X, the Conference of Bishops of France “wishes to assure the victims of its deep compassion and shame that such acts could be committed by a priest”. “While waiting to learn of the published report”, the CEF adds that, despite the “remarkable impact” of Abbé Pierre in the world, his position “cannot dispense with the necessary work of truth, which Emmaüs has just carried out with clarity and courage”.
Several political figures are also beginning to speak out, such as the Green MP Sandrine Rousseau, known for her feminist commitment. “Why am I not surprised? On the other hand, there is always this simmering anger inside me about these great men who have no respect for women.”
