The name of Abbé Pierre erased from the streets of Courbevoie. As announced, the mayor (LR) Jacques Kossowski, this Monday evening, submitted to the vote of the municipal council the change of name of the square of the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church after the deluge of accusations of sexual assault targeting the co-founder of Emmaüs.
Despite the historical link that linked Abbé Pierre to the city – it was from Courbevoie that the man of the Church, invited by his friend Georges Verpraet, wrote his famous appeal made on Radio Luxembourg after the death of a homeless, frozen to death – the elected officials did not hesitate when voting on the deliberation, at the very beginning of the session. Unanimously, they decided to change the name of the square and rename it place of the call of February 1, 1954.
A way of dissociating man from his work? “We can see it like that but I don’t really like this idea,” explains Marie-Pierre Limoge, deputy mayor in charge of early childhood, family, communication and foresight. This name change is above all a way of paying tribute to the incredible outpouring of solidarity from thousands of people who responded to the call. Abbé Pierre was not alone. He was certainly a figure who set the “the” but once again, it is the national momentum that must continue to be commemorated. A lasting momentum to which we subsequently owe the construction of tens of thousands of housing units and even the winter break. »
The square in front of the Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church is not only changing its name. In the coming hours, the technical services will also dismantle the small memorial marker in memory of Abbot Pierre previously installed on the square. “Keeping the name of Abbé Pierre now seems unthinkable” observes Marie-Pierre Limoge who recalls the unbolting of certain statues in the provinces such as that of the commune of Norges-la-Ville (Côte d’Or).
Analysis: The Erasure of Abbé Pierre’s Name from the Streets of Courbevoie
In a move that has sparked both surprise and debate, the city of Courbevoie has decided to erase the name of Abbé Pierre from its streets. As reported in several news outlets, including Actu.fr <a href="https://actu.fr/ile-de-france/courbevoie92026/cette-ville-des-hauts-de-seine-ou-l-abbe-pierre-a-lance-son-appel-historique-prend-une-decision-radicale61698790.html”>[1], France TV Info <a href="https://www.francetvinfo.fr/faits-divers/abbe-pierre-accuse-de-violences-sexuelles/il-etait-intolerable-de-laisser-ce-nom-la-courbevoie-vote-a-l-unanimite-la-decision-de-debaptiser-le-parvis-de-l-abbe-pierre6825233.html”>[2], and France Bleu [3], the decision was made following allegations of sexual aggression against the late Abbé Pierre.
For those who may not be familiar, Abbé Pierre was a French Catholic priest who was known for his humanitarian work, particularly in the field of poverty and homelessness. In February 1954, he launched a historic appeal from the church of Courbevoie, which became a turning point in his mission to help those in need.
The decision to erase Abbé Pierre’s name from the streets of Courbevoie is a radical one, and it raises questions about how we deal with the legacies of historical figures who have been accused of wrongdoing. On the one hand, it is understandable that the city would want to distance itself from someone who has been accused of such serious allegations. As the mayor, Jacques Kossowski, stated, “Il était intolérable de laisser ce nom-là” (“It was intolerable to leave that name”) <a href="https://www.francetvinfo.fr/faits-divers/abbe-pierre-accuse-de-violences-sexuelles/il-etait-intolerable-de-laisser-ce-nom-la-courbevoie-vote-a-l-unanimite-la-decision-de-debaptiser-le-parvis-de-l-abbe-pierre6825233.html”>[2].
On the other hand, erasing Abbé Pierre’s name from the streets of Courbevoie also erases a part of the city’s history. As France Bleu notes, the city plans to rename the parvis of the Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul church, where Abbé Pierre launched his historic appeal, to “L’appel du 1er février 1954” (“The Appeal of February 1st, 1954”) [3]. While this new name still acknowledges the historical significance of the event, it does not acknowledge the person behind it.
the erasure of Abbé Pierre’s name from the streets of Courbevoie is a complex issue that raises questions about how we deal with the legacies of historical figures who have been accused of wrongdoing. While it is understandable that the city would want to distance itself from someone who has been accused of such serious allegations, it is also important to consider the historical significance of Abbé Pierre’s work and how it can be acknowledged in a way that is respectful to all parties involved.
