Abbé Pierre accused of sexual assault: the fall of an icon

Abbé Pierre, a figure of charity and long a favourite personality of the French, has been caught up in accusations of sexual assault. In the Emmaüs community, these revelations have caused a shockwave. “It’s an explosion because first of all, it’s a huge surprise. (…) It considerably modifies the image of Abbé Pierre and therefore the image he also has in our movement, in our daily actions”confides Christophe Robert, general delegate of the Abbé Pierre foundation.

In Esteville (Seine-Maritime) where Abbé Pierre is buried, the inhabitants find it hard to believe. “We took him for a bit of a God. We’re a bit taken aback”assures a man. “I had the opportunity to see it, today you have to be wary of everyone”adds another. The city’s Abbé Pierre center symbolically closed its doors in support of the victims.