Details

The inquiry was set up following the release in July 2024 of a report by the Egaé group which presented evidence of abuse committed against seven women by Henri Grouès (Abbé Pierre) between 1970 and 2005. A supplementary report of July 2025 brought the number of victims testifying to abuse by Grouès to 45 from 1953 on, twelve of whom were children.

Grouès, who died in 2007, was the founder of the Emmaüs Foundation to fight against poverty and social exclusion, particularly in the provision of housing, and over decades received much media attention, public support and good will. The purpose of the commission is to understand and explain the dysfunction that allowed Grouès to continue to carry out sexual abuse as he did for over 50 years. The Conference of Bishops of France has promised its full co-operation.

The inquiry is expected to take two years, and be completed in early 2027.

Institutions
The institutions concerned are Emmaüs France, Emmaüs International and Fondation Abbé Pierre, all founded by Henri Grouès.