More than a month after the revelations incriminating Abbé Pierre for several acts of sexual violence, the diocese of Grenoble announced that it had discovered in its archives a letter denouncing acts of sexual assault, dating back several decades.
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Last July, the report revealed by the Emmaüs association and the Abbé-Pierre foundation had already shaken the Catholic community and beyond. Added to this is a letter found by the diocese of Grenoble-Vienne in which facts of sexual assault are reported.
In its investigation report, the Egaé group’s expert firm, commissioned by Emmaüs following a report in 2023, mentions “seven people reporting violence suffered by women at the hands of Abbé Pierre”.
Five other people were also “identified as having suffered acts of violence” from him. And the word continues to be released. Shocking revelations which target this iconic figure in the fight against poverty and exclusion.
“We were a little stunned to see that this immense character, in a way, had this dark side. We were really surprised because this idea that he could have committed such reprehensible acts, had left our consciousness.“, confides Monsignor Jean-Marc Eychenne, Bishop of Grenoble.
Following this discovery, members of the Isère diocese delved back into the archives to see if they had any trace or evidence that suggested this. Finally, the Bishop of Grenoble got his hands on a letter dating back several decades from the provincial of the Capuchins, a community to which Abbé Pierre belonged, as revealed by our colleagues from the Dauphiné Libéré.
“In 1980, following a book signing that Abbé Pierre offered after a conference, a Belgian person found himself among the last to be welcomed for this signing. This letter says that Abbé Pierre had made inappropriate gestures towards him.“, reveals Monsignor Jean-Marc Eychenne.
After reading this letter, the Capuchin provincial had redirected the alleged victim to the diocese of Grenoble. But this testimony ultimately remained unanswered.The person did not contact us so we did not pay any more attention to this testimony at the time.“, explains the Bishop of Grenoble.
This Friday, August 23, several members of the Mouv’enfants association, engaged in the fight against violence against children and adolescents, mobilized in front of the headquarters of the diocese of Grenoble. Placards in hand, they denounced the actions of Abbé Pierre and the silence of the Isère institution in this regard.
This Friday, August 23, several members of the Mouv’enfants association denounced the “omerta” of the diocese of Grenoble surrounding the actions of Abbé Pierre.
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“He died. But there are people who did not denounce, who knew. Why can’t we shed light on what really happened, what was the responsibility of each party. Perhaps a systemic responsibility, too? Perhaps the responsibility of a legal entity?” asks Arnaud Gallais, president of Mouv’enfants.
Henri Grouès, by his name, held several positions in the diocese of Grenoble. Ordained a priest on August 24, 1938 with the Capuchins, he then joined Isère on May 2, 1939. Abbé Pierre was then appointed vicar of the cathedral of Grenoble before resigning and leaving the capital of the Alps on January 1, 1944.
“We were not aware of this. The people of the diocese were really surprised, defends Monsignor Jean-Marc Eychenne, head of the Isère diocese for two years, who salutes the work of these associations. When they consulted the elders, they were truly astonished at these revelations.”
The bishop also indicates that no particular follow-up has been made with regard to the founder of Emmaus.Perhaps we should have, since he was incardination, that is to say that he was a priest for the first time in activity in the diocese of Grenoble. In this capacity, one can have a particular responsibility, in any case a right to request information. We have never used this right. We realize that today, we must have a more precise follow-up of people anyway.”
“Sometimes we need an idol, a character who is a role model for us. But we don’t know everything about a man’s life and we have to remain vigilant.”
Monsignor Jean-Marc Eychenne, Bishop of Grenoble
To prevent sexual violence within the Church, the diocese of Grenoble-Vienne assures that it works in close collaboration with the public prosecutor concerned, transmitting all reports and following his advice.
“The Church is not as safe as it used to be, but there are still things we can do to make it a more resolutely safe house,” concludes Monsignor Jean-Marc Eychenne, Bishop of Grenoble.
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