French Catholic Church Asks Prosecutors To Investigate Allegations Of Sexual Harassment Pastor Abbe Pierre

JAKARTA - The French Catholic Church has asked prosecutors to investigate allegations of sexual harassment by the late French priest Abbe Pierre, activists for the poor and homeless.

Henri-Antoine Groues, better known as Abbe Pierre, is a Roman Catholic priest who left his fortune for the homeless and was once one of France's most respected figures. He died in 2007, at the age of 94.

The church's request came after two charitys founded by Abbe Pierre released a report last July containing testimonies of seven women accusing the late priest of sexual harassment.

The charity, Emmaus International and Abebe Pierre Foundation, said they believed the allegations and supported the victims.

In a statement published on Friday, January 17, French bishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort said he asked the Paris prosecutor's office to open an investigation into the failure to report sexual rape and violence against vulnerable people and minors.

"Only the justice system has the means of investigation needed to allow the truth to be fully known about the possible silence that benefits Abbe Pierre," the statement said.

Since the first allegations were made publicly, the charity has opened an aid channel to collect more testimony.

They published a second report in September with 17 people suspected of being new victims, and a third report on Monday, bringing the total number of victims suspect Abbe Pierre to 33.

The charity thanked those who were willing to share the experience of abuse they experienced, sometimes for the first time, saying they had shown great courage.