On June 19, 1986, one of the French people’s favorite personalities died in a tragic motorcycle accident after hitting a truck. At only 41 years old, , or Michel Colucci of his real name, died at the end of an intense life made of great accomplishments, he who notably announced his candidacy for the presidential election of 1981 before retiring in the result of pressure and threats. A year before his death, he founded Restos du coeur, an aid relay intended for the poorest and which quickly led to a surge of solidarity in French society.
At the beginning of January 1986, Coluche decided to bring together “all the elite of entertainment, politics, sport and the media”as stated Paris Match for a big concert on TF1. Jean-Jacques Goldman is responsible for writing The Restos song which will remain the anthem of Restos du Coeur and which will sell more than 530,000 copies as a single upon its release, making it possible to distribute nearly 8.5 million meals in one winter. The money raised by the association is colossal and while there are “some money left”, the one who after the accident thinks of making a nice gesture to a person he really appreciates. “Coluche offers a check for nearly 150 million centimes to his ‘friend’ Abbé Pierre”as our colleagues write. A sum which was probably intended to help his Emmaüs association.
Abbé Pierre at the heart of a legal case
A very generous gesture on the part of the late comedian, who would perhaps have had a different attitude today towards the man of the church. Accused of sexual assault by numerous women, Father Pierre, who left us in January 2007, has been at the heart of the scandal for several months now. spoke about the affair in an interview with The Sunday Tribune a few weeks ago. “I believe that beyond Abbot Pierre, it is the Church that is the problem. And throughout the world (…) I hope I am wrong, but wouldn’t the Catholic faith be a means allowing them to satisfy their thirst for power and their vices?says the former footballer.
also wanted to return to the matter. “To say to ourselves that we missed that and didn’t see it, that’s what’s most terrible”he explains in the show Nice Gestureon France 2, before adding:“Already I’m thinking of the victims, there are 25 testimonies and it’s terrible. Obviously, we feel a great betrayal, a great sadness. (…) Astonishment. I’m looking for words, but it’s difficult to say find them. Fear, because somewhere, he was a friend.”
