The latest revelations about Abbé Pierre, accused of sexual violence, raise the question of the public recognition he received, such as the statue erected to his glory in Naintré.
The latest revelations about Abbé Pierre have caused consternation. Seventeen new testimonies accusing the founder of the Emmaüs movement of sexual violence were made public on Friday, September 6, 2024, by the foundation that bears his name.
Immediate consequence: the Abbé Pierre Foundation has decided to change its name. In the same vein, the Emmaüs movement also announced on Friday the permanent closure of the place of memory dedicated to the abbé in Esteville, in Seine-Maritime, where he is buried.
Locally, questions are also being raised about a steel statue erected to the glory of Abbé Pierre and the Emmaüs movement in Naintré. This monumental work (5.50 m) was installed in May 2013 on the Nonnes roundabout, south of Châtellerault, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the local community.
A collegial decision will be taken in the municipal office
Christian Michaud, Mayor of Naintré
The abbot, whose stylized silhouette with beret and cane is immediately recognizable, is depicted there, surrounded by seven companions. “We wanted to symbolize sharing and struggle,” explained at the time the author of the sculpture, Alain Donnadieu from Châtelleraud.
The roundabout itself, located not far from one of the community sites (the Nonnes farm), is also named after Abbé Pierre and the companions of Emmaus.
“Following the various events, the problem unfortunately arises”replied this Monday morning, September 9, the mayor of Naintré, Christian Michaud, when asked if the sculpture should remain in place and the roundabout be renamed.
The Naintré municipality has already taken up the subject. “It’s on the table. We will make a collegiate decision in the municipal office on Tuesday evening (September 10). First, I will propose that the roundabout be renamed after Abbé Pierre. After what we have learned and which seems credible, this gentleman no longer deserves to be honored.”thunders the mayor.
Meetings at Emmaüs
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On the Emmaüs community side, the question of the statue will arise. “She hasn’t been in the association yet. But maybe she will be.”comments Bruno Pajot, historical founder of the local community.
Co-manager of Emmaüs, Isabelle Billard confirms: “We haven’t taken a position. The only position we’ve taken is to remove all the portraits of Abbé Pierre. As for the statue, I don’t have a strong opinion and no one in the team responsible does. We respect the artist’s work. We’re going to have meetings. We’ll make a considered decision.”
The artist defends his work
For his part, the artist Alain Donnadieu defends his work. “It is a personal work which symbolically highlights the action of Abbé Pierre more than the characterhe comments. “At the moment, I don’t agree with removing it. We have to give it time. We’ll see.”
As for the Department, on whose land the monument is located, it is currently sidestepping the issue. “The association has received a request for authorization to occupy the public domain and it is the one that ensures the management of the statue. It is up to it to make a decision. We are waiting to see what it will decide.”indicates in substance the departmental council.
A real earthquake
Beyond the potential controversy, it is an earthquake that the companions of Emmaüs are facing today. “We were shocked, summarizes Bruno Pajot. We have forty years of commitment and we have never heard of anything. It is a big slap in the face and it is very painful. Can we distinguish between the actions of Abbé Pierre that have meaning and the discovery of what this man was?
Abbé Pierre: A Life of Contradictions
The recent revelations about Abbé Pierre, the founder of the Emmaüs movement, have sent shockwaves throughout France and beyond. Seventeen new testimonies accusing him of sexual violence have led to a reevaluation of his legacy, with many questioning the public recognition he received during his lifetime.
A Statue in Question
One such symbol of recognition is a steel statue erected in Naintré, south of Châtellerault, in 2013. The monumental work, designed by Alain Donnadieu, depicts Abbé Pierre surrounded by seven companions, symbolizing sharing and struggle. However, in light of the recent allegations, the mayor of Naintré, Christian Michaud, has expressed reservations about the statue’s continued presence, stating, “This gentleman no longer deserves to be honored.”
A Collegial Decision
The Naintré municipality has taken up the subject, with a collegiate decision to be made on whether to rename the roundabout where the statue is located. The mayor has proposed renaming the roundabout, while the artist, Alain Donnadieu, defends his work, arguing that it symbolically highlights Abbé Pierre’s actions rather than his character. Donnadieu has expressed hesitation about removing the statue, suggesting that time should be given to reflect on the issue.
The Emmaüs Community’s Response
The Emmaüs movement has also responded to the allegations, announcing the permanent closure of the place of memory dedicated to Abbé Pierre in Esteville, where he is buried. The movement’s co-manager, Isabelle Billard, has confirmed that all portraits of Abbé Pierre have been removed, but no decision has been made regarding the statue. Billard has emphasized the need for considered decision-making, with meetings to be held to discuss the statue’s future.
Beyond Naintré
Abbé Pierre’s legacy extends far beyond Naintré, with sculptures and monuments dedicated to him throughout France and abroad. A bronze sculpture by Denis Rodier, titled “Abbé Pierre,” is available for sale on online art marketplaces, such as Artmajeur and Saatchi Art [[1] [2]]. The sculpture, which features Abbé Pierre’s stylized silhouette with beret and cane, was created in 2015. Another statue of Abbé Pierre can be found at the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard, a mountain pass in the Alps on the France-Italy border [[3]].
A Legacy Reevaluated
As the allegations against Abbé Pierre continue to unfold, it is clear that his legacy will be reevaluated in the coming weeks and months. The statue in Naintré serves as a symbol of the complexities surrounding his life and work. While some argue that the statue should remain as a testament to the positive impact of Abbé Pierre’s actions, others believe that it should be removed, given the seriousness of the allegations against him. As the debate continues, one thing is certain – the public’s perception of Abbé Pierre will never be the same.
References:
[1] https://www.artmajeur.com/denisrodier/en/artworks/13563722/abbe-pierre
<a href="https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Sculpture-Abb-Pierre/665285/7304613/view?srsltid=AfmBOoo4xJ7IKZGB9A7KQhtRZZv7TyV3EIVzcqjY4duELZ-lkOmYbng”>[2] https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Sculpture-Abb-Pierre/665285/7304613/view?srsltid=AfmBOoo4xJ7IKZGB9A7KQhtRZZv7TyV3EIVzcqjY4duELZ-lkOmYbng
**The Latest Revelations about Abbé Pierre: A Life of Contradictions**
The Latest Revelations about Abbé Pierre: A Life of Contradictions
The recent allegations of sexual violence against Abbé Pierre, the founder of the Emmaüs movement, have sent shockwaves across the globe. As the news broke out, the Abbé Pierre Foundation announced its decision to change its name, and the Emmaüs movement closed the place of memory dedicated to the abbé in Esteville, Seine-Maritime, where he is buried. But what about the public recognition he received, such as the statue erected in his honor in Naintré?
A Statue in Question
The statue in question is a 5.50-meter steel monument installed in May 2013 on the Nonnes roundabout in Naintré, south of Châtellerault. The statue, created by artist Alain Donnadieu, depicts Abbé Pierre surrounded by seven companions, symbolizing sharing and struggle. The roundabout itself is named after Abbé Pierre and the companions of Emmaus. However, following the latest allegations, the mayor of Naintré, Christian Michaud, has questioned whether the statue should remain in place and the roundabout be renamed.
A Collegial Decision
The Naintré municipality has already taken up the subject, with Mayor Michaud proposing that the roundabout be renamed after Abbé Pierre. “After what we have learned and which seems credible, this gentleman no longer deserves to be honored,” he said. A collegiate decision will be made in the municipal office on Tuesday evening, September 10, 2024.
Meetings at Emmaüs
On the Emmaüs community side, the question of the statue will arise. Bruno Pajot, historical founder of the local community, commented, “She hasn’t been in the association yet. But maybe she will be.” Co-manager of Emmaüs, Isabelle Billard, confirmed, “We haven’t taken a position. The only position we’ve taken is to remove all the portraits of Abbé Pierre. As for the statue, I don’t have a strong opinion and no one in the team responsible does. We respect the artist’s work. We’re going to have meetings. We’ll make a considered decision.”
The Artist Defends His Work
Artist Alain Donnadieu defended his work, saying, “It is a personal work which symbolically highlights the action of Abbé Pierre more than the character.” He added, “At the moment, I don’t agree with removing it.” As the controversy surrounding Abbé Pierre’s legacy grows, it remains to be seen what will become of the statue and the roundabout named after him.
Renamings Planned After Allegations
The allegations against Abbé Pierre have sparked a wave of renamings across the globe. According to [1], several renamings are planned after allegations against Abbé Pierre. This move comes as no surprise, given the severity of the allegations against the founder of the Emmaüs movement.
Other Abbé Pierres
It’s worth noting that there are other individuals named Abbé Pierre, such as Abbé Pierre Chanoux, whose statue is located at the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard Little St Bernard Pass in the Alps on the France–Italy border [2]. However, the current controversy surrounds the founder of the Emmaüs movement, Abbé Pierre.
Emmaus Lescar-Pau to Remove the Statue
In related news, Emmaus Lescar-Pau has decided to remove the statue of Abbé Pierre, following the
