Abbé Pierre had lived in Esteville before being buried there.
Since the revelations of sexual assaults targeting Abbé Pierre, the center that bears his name in Esteville (Seine-Maritime) has been closed, “in solidarity with the victims of sexist and sexual violence”, can be read on the door of the premises. The symbol that this establishment represents is all the greater since it is in this town, located about thirty kilometers from Rouen, that Abbé Pierre was buried, after having lived there.
On Friday, August 23, the mayor, Manuel Grente, indicated to France Blue Normandy that he was thinking about keeping the name of the Abbé Pierre school, which is located in the heart of the village. “Several years ago, our school consisted of an Algeco (a container designed to create temporary outdoor premises, editor’s note) and it was Abbé Pierre who made it possible to build a permanent school,” he confided to our colleagues. The councilor is taking time to think, while the same question arises around a fresco representing the priest.
While the issue of the school and the fresco has not yet been resolved, the Abbé Pierre – Emmaüs centre should see changes. According to information from France Inter This Monday, August 26, the place that presents the life and message of Abbé Pierre and the Emmaüs movement “should never reopen its doors as it is.” A proposal has reportedly been submitted within Emmaüs itself with a view to renaming the center and transforming it into a place dedicated to research on the fight against poverty.
