Quebec strips Abbé Pierre of National Order of Quebec after sex-assault allegations

Mourners line up to pay their respects in front of French priest Abbé Pierre's coffin at the Val-de-Grace hospital church in Paris Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007. (Remy de la Mauviniere/The Canadian Press-AP)

Warning: The following story contains graphic details.

The Quebec government has stripped French priest Abbé Pierre of the National Order of Quebec over sexual abuse allegations.

Premier François Legault made the decision following a unanimous recommendation from the council that oversees the highest distinction awarded by the Quebec government.

Sexual assault allegations were first published about Henri Grouès, better known as Abbé Pierre, in a July 2024 report.

A total of 45 alleged victims have to date come forward with accusations of sexual violence, including several who were minors at the time of the alleged abuse.

Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, devoted his life to helping the poor and the homeless and was named a grand officer of the Ordre national du Québec in 1995 by then-premier Jacques Parizeau.

The Quebec government also removed French actor Gérard Depardieu from the National Order of Quebec in December 2023 following the broadcast of a documentary showing him making obscene remarks about women.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 20, 2025.