Abbé Pierre Foundation calls for "surge" in the face of a drop in donations

"We see that donations have dropped by 30% from July to November compared to the same period last year," he told AFP, attributing this drop to "the effect of the revelations" made by the Foundation in July about the priest who died in 2007.

However, "the resources which allow us to finance 800 to 900 projects per year to help the poorly housed come 97% from the generosity of the public," he stressed, confirming figures initially revealed by RMC.

"We hope for a boost because there is an increase in the needs of homeless people, people who are victims of substandard housing, people who are in unspeakable housing conditions," added Christophe Robert, hoping not to be forced to "reduce the scope" of actions carried out on the ground "for the benefit of the most vulnerable."

An iconic figure in France and founder of Emmaüs, Abbé Pierre has been the target of a series of testimonies from women since July about sexual violence committed between the 1950s and 2000s.

Following these revelations, a commission of independent experts was tasked with shedding light on the dysfunctions that allowed him to "not be worried" about his actions and the Church opened its archives concerning him.

The Abbé Pierre Foundation has also initiated steps to change its name. Announcements to this effect could be made as early as January, according to Christophe Robert.