Volkswacht Bodensee - French city renames Abbe Pierre square after abuse claims

Born Henri Groues, French clergyman Abbe Pierre, was feted until his death aged 94 in 2007 as a great humanitarian and advocate for social equality.

But salvoes of abuse allegations have dashed his reputation in recent months, with women publicly reporting assaults ranging from groping to rape and "sexual contact with a child".

Cities and villages across France have scrambled to rid themselves of plaques, and schools moved to change their names in the aftermath.

In Lyon, where he was born, mayor Gregory Doucet said he had taken the "exceptional decision to rename the Abbe Pierre Square" in the northwest of the city.

"Our city is committed to fighting all forms of sexist and sexual violence," he said.

Accusations against Abbe Pierre "have stunned us all, particularly in Lyon, where he was born," he said.

Abbe Pierre is also depicted in a fresco of famous people from the southeastern city painted on the side of a private building.

The Lyon municipality has said it is ready to help remove his figure from the fresco if the owners of the building decide to do so.

Around 150 streets or other places across France have carried the late humanitarian's name, according to an AFP tally in mid-September.

But that number is dropping steadily.

Workers on Tuesday removed a statue of Abbe Pierre from its pedestal in the village of Norges-la-Ville north of the city of Dijon.

S.Leonhard--VB