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French Roman Catholic priest Abbé Pierre, a celebrated advocate for the homeless, has been accused of sexual assault 17 years after his death. Abbé Pierre, who passed away in January 2007 at the age of 94, is now alleged to have sexually assaulted or harassed seven women between 1970 and 2005. The Emmaus anti-poverty movement, which he founded, revealed the allegations and expressed belief in the women’s testimonies.

“These revelations have shaken our organizations, where the figure of Abbé Pierre plays a major role,” Emmaus stated on its website. “We all know his story and his message. These acts profoundly change the way we regard this man, who was known above all for his struggle against poverty, destitution, and exclusion.” The allegations have tarnished the posthumous reputation of Abbé Pierre, who was widely popular in France during his lifetime, even topping national popularity polls. His movement, Emmaus, has a global presence with hostels in numerous countries.

Following his death, then-President Jacques Chirac described Abbé Pierre as “an immense figure, a conscience, an incarnation of goodness.” Emmaus began investigating the allegations a year ago after receiving an account from a woman claiming to have been sexually assaulted by Abbé Pierre. This led to an inquiry by an external firm, which found six additional cases, including one involving a minor.

Emmaus acknowledged the bravery of the women who came forward, stating, “We believe them, we know that these intolerable acts have left their mark, and we stand by them.” The allegations dominated the headlines of the French press, with many expressing shock at the fall of such a revered figure. Libération, a left-wing newspaper, linked the scandal to the broader issue of the Catholic Church’s silence on sexual abuse, noting that before the MeToo movement, these allegations might have remained unheard.

Emmaus has established a confidential system to collect testimonies from anyone who experienced or witnessed “unacceptable behavior” by Abbé Pierre, offering guidance and support to those who come forward.

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Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso, a World Cup winner, has testified in a Madrid court that a kiss from former football federation president Luis Rubiales was not consensual. The incident occurred after the World Cup final last year when Rubiales allegedly grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips. The judge will now decide whether Rubiales should face trial for sexual assault and coercion. Hermoso, Spain’s top scorer, emphasized that the kiss was unexpected and non-consensual during her two-and-a-half-hour testimony, reiterating her previous statements leaked to Spanish TV. The court is examining evidence, including CCTV footage, to determine if the case should go to trial.

The kiss, which took place during the medal ceremony in Sydney after Spain’s victory over England, initially seemed consensual based on a statement attributed to Hermoso shortly after the final. However, she later claimed that she was pressured by Spanish football federation officials to endorse the statement. Rubiales, who denies the allegations, is also being investigated for possible coercion related to the pressure on Hermoso. Other figures under investigation include the coach Jorge Vilda, federation executives Albert Luque and Rubén Rivera.

Hermoso stated that she did not want the kiss and felt like a victim of assault, highlighting that, under Spanish law, a kiss without consent can be considered a form of sexual assault. Despite Rubiales asserting it was a consensual peck, he resigned as president of the Spanish football federation following the incident. An investigation was initiated, and he was prohibited from approaching Hermoso within 200 meters by an investigating judge. The case has drawn attention beyond football, making Hermoso a notable figure in discussions about equality and solidarity.

On New Year’s Eve, Hermoso expressed gratitude for the positive changes in terms of equality and solidarity and congratulated her Spain teammates for the empowerment achieved. At 33, she announced a club change, leaving Pachuca in Mexico, where she played since 2022, for Tigres UANL, the country’s most successful women’s team.

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