Church calls for judicial investigation into Abbe Pierre amid new abuse claims

A number of allegations over Abbe Pierre have emerged since his death in 2007 (AP)

The French Catholic Church has formally requested that prosecutors initiate an investigation into Abbe Pierre, a once-revered priest and leading humanitarian who died in 2007, following new revelations of sexual violence.

Archbishop Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the French Bishops Conference (CEF), announced the move during an interview on RMC radio on Friday.