Pope says sex abuse is ‘demonic’ as he weighs in on new scandal in French church

Pope Francis Calls Sexual Abuse “Demonic” in Response to Allegations Against Abbe Pierre

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis called sexual abuse “demonic” on Friday as he weighed in on the latest sex assault revelations against a legendary French priest, Abbe Pierre, who devoted his life to advocating for the homeless.

Abbé Pierre’s Legacy and the Emmaus Community

Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, was one of France’s most beloved public figures. The founder of the international Emmaus Community for the poor, Abbé Pierre had served as part of France’s conscience since the 1950s, when he persuaded Parliament to pass a law — still on the books — forbidding landlords to evict tenants during winter.

Emmaus International this week revealed that it had substantiated 17 more claims against its late founder, adding to the seven that were made public in July when it revealed the claims amounted to “sexual assault or sexual harassment.” The scandal set off outrage among French Catholics, for whom Abbe Pierre was a hero and icon.

Pope Francis Addresses Vatican’s Knowledge of Abbe Pierre’s Abuse

Francis was asked during an in-flight press conference coming home from Asia about what the Vatican knew and when about Abbe Pierre, given reports that at least some people close to him knew of his impulsive sexual behavior.

Francis said he didn’t know when exactly the Holy See had learned about his abuse, but that it was after he had died.

He called Abbe Pierre a “terrible sinner” but that such a “shameful crime” was also the “human condition.”

“He’s a man who did so much good, but he’s also a sinner. We have to speak clearly about these things, and not hide them,” he said. “Abuse is in my judgment is something demonic, because every type of abuse destroys the dignity of the person.”

Details of the Abuse Allegations

According to Emmaus, the new 17 cases involve women who reported behavior similar to that reported by the first seven victims, extending the abuse allegations from the 1950s and 2000s. Their claims involved “unsolicited breast touching and forced kisses,” as well as repeated sexual contact with a vulnerable person, sexual penetration with an adult woman, and sexual contact with a child, according to Emmaus.

A Pattern of Abuse Among Revered Catholic Leaders

The case of Abbe Pierre is the latest involving a revered, charismatic Catholic leader who turns out to have been a sexual predator. It is similar in some ways to the scandal involving another French icon, Jean Vanier, who founded the L’Arche movement to care for people with disabilities and was later found to have engaged in misconduct with adult women.

Francis had to confront a similar case during his visit to East Timor. Timorese Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent campaign for independence, but the Vatican revealed in 2022 that he had been sanctioned for sexually abusing young boys. Belo was allowed by St. John Paul II to retire quietly in 2002, and the Holy See has never revealed what it knew and when about his crimes.

Francis didn’t mention Belo by name while he was in East Timor, where Belo is still revered and many Timorese refuse to believe he was an abuser. But Francis did condemn “abuse” in general terms upon arrival in Dili.

Steps Taken to Distance Themselves from Abbe Pierre

Emmaus and the Abbe Pierre Foundation announced a series of steps to distance themselves from their founder, including changes to the foundation’s name and Emmaus logos and closing a memorial dedicated to the priest.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses sexual abuse allegations against Abbé Pierre, a legendary French priest. These allegations highlight issues related to gender inequality, as the victims are predominantly women who reported unsolicited breast touching, forced kisses, and other forms of sexual abuse. The article also addresses the need for reduced inequalities, as it discusses the abuse of power by revered Catholic leaders. Additionally, the article touches upon the importance of strong institutions and justice in addressing and preventing sexual abuse.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
• SDG 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including through eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices
• SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels

The article highlights the need to address and eliminate violence against women and girls, as the victims of the sexual abuse allegations are predominantly women. This aligns with SDG 5.2. The article also emphasizes the importance of reducing inequalities and eliminating discriminatory practices, as it discusses the abuse of power by revered Catholic leaders. This relates to SDG 10.3. Lastly, the article underscores the need for effective and transparent institutions to address and prevent sexual abuse, aligning with SDG 16.6.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of reported cases of violence against women and girls
• Number of policies and practices implemented to reduce inequalities and eliminate discrimination
• Level of transparency and accountability in institutions dealing with sexual abuse allegations

The article mentions that Emmaus International substantiated 17 more claims against Abbé Pierre, adding to the seven that were made public in July. These reported cases of violence against women can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards SDG 5.2. The article also discusses the steps taken by Emmaus and the Abbé Pierre Foundation to distance themselves from their founder, indicating the implementation of policies and practices to address inequalities and eliminate discrimination. This can be used as an indicator for SDG 10.3. Lastly, the article emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in institutions dealing with sexual abuse allegations, suggesting that the level of transparency and accountability can be used as an indicator for SDG 16.6.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: apnews.com