Key takeaways:

• The Paris prosecutor's office will not investigate sexual abuse allegations against Abbé Pierre due to his death in 2007 and the statute of limitations.
• Allegations surfaced last year, detailing accusations from several women regarding abuse dating from the 1950s to the 2000s.
• The Catholic Church in France sought to uncover the truth behind these allegations, prompting a public outcry for accountability.

PARIS (Reuters) — French prosecutors announced on Tuesday that they cannot proceed with an investigation into multiple allegations of sexual abuse against Abbé Pierre, a celebrated humanitarian who passed away in 2007. The allegations were brought forward last year and were highlighted in an internal report by Abbé Pierre’s organizations. The legal standing of the case falters due to his death and the expiration of the statute of limitations, which prevents any action against his alleged abuse or any potential cover-up by others.

Abbé Pierre, born Henri Grouès, earned admiration for his efforts to aid the impoverished, founding the Emmaüs movement in 1949. This organization focuses on battling poverty and homelessness but now faces challenges as it grapples with the implications of these allegations. Reports allege that sexual abuses and harassment by Abbé Pierre occurred from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, with victims emerging from various countries including France, the U.S., Morocco, and Switzerland.

The French Catholic Church expressed a desire to thoroughly investigate these accusations, stating it was crucial to uncover the full extent of the abuse and identify any victims impacted by Abbé Pierre's actions. However, the Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that legally, no case can be opened against him or those who might have concealed or failed to report such interactions due to the statute of limitations being exceeded.

This decision comes amid a broader reckoning within France regarding clerical abuse, prompting calls for accountability and transparency from church authorities. The Catholic Church in France is facing increasing scrutiny concerning its historical silence regarding cases of abuse, with aspects of identity now being reconsidered as the Abbé Pierre Foundation recently rebranded due to the controversy surrounding its founder.

For further information, refer to the original articles from AP News and India Times.