The French Episcopal Conference (CEF) reported this week that a dozen new accusers have presented accusations of abuse against the late Capuchin priest Abbé Pierre.
The famous French priest has already been accused of several dozens of inflicting abuses over several decades. Pierre founded the Emaus movement, an international beneficial organization, after World War II.
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In a communication From July 10, the CEF bishops said they were “shocked upon receiving the testimony of 12 new victims of Abbé Pierre, including 7 minors at the time of the events.”
The bishops “assure these people their support,” as indicated in the statement.
The accusations of abuse against Pierre, who for decades was recognized for his beneficial work in France, shocked the Catholic world last year. Emaus International revealed the complaints of abuse in July 2024 and new accusations later arose in September.
The Abbé Pierre Foundation announced that it would change its name due to the revelations. The French bishops also announced that the files on Pierre would publish almost six decades earlier than expected, amid the accusations of abuse.
French prosecutors said earlier this year that they would not initiate investigation into the priest because he had died in 2007.
This week, meanwhile, the French bishops said they were “committed to helping victims to rebuild their lives after what have happened.”
Bishops and Emaus “are working together with determination in a repair process,” they said.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Press team. Originally published in CNA
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is a senior editor of Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.