Hide this name that I cannot see… Abbé Pierre has not been in the good books for several months. Since the publication, in two stages this summer, of damning testimonies. In total, 24 women accuse him of sexual violence committed between the 1950s and the 2000s, according to reports from the Egaé firm commissioned by the associations of the Emmaüs movement that he founded.
The former favorite personality of the French is no longer one at all. As a result, many want to erase his trace. Starting with his own foundation, which will change its name. Like others all over the territory: an establishment here, a place there, etc.
In Nancy, a commemorative plaque placed seven months earlier has been removed. “Given these serious revelations, the municipality has therefore decided to permanently remove the plaque in memory of Abbé Pierre,” wrote the city, led by socialist Mathieu Klein, in a press release. This plaque had been affixed to the place where Abbé Pierre, a member of parliament for Meurthe-et-Moselle from 1945 to 1951 for the Christian-democrat Popular Republican Movement (MRP), held his parliamentary office.
In Esteville (Seine-Maritime), where he lived and is buried for a long time, the mayor of the town will rename the school. “It was Abbé Pierre who allowed the construction of a permanent establishment. Now we must have the courage to change things,” explained to Parisian Manuel Grente.
In Lyon, a local figure
Lyon is also one of the symbols of this former great figure in the fight against poor housing. He was born there and appears on the Fresco of the Lyonnais, with 29 other local glories. Until when? Decisions could fall quickly.
In Béarn, it’s a done deal. A six-metre-high statue dedicated to the former priest will disappear. In Alfortville (Val-de-Marne), a square will be renamed Joséphine Baker and a sculpture in homage to the singer will also replace that of Abbé Pierre. Still in the Paris region, a park located near the capital’s large library will also change its name. Finally, in Brittany, the vocational school of Tinténiac (Ille-et-Vilaine) will also follow suit. Its new name will be known in the autumn, the one that should see Abbé Pierre gradually disappear from public spaces. And perhaps from collective memory.