Father of Abuse Victims Fights for Life

By John Ferguson
The Australian
May 27, 2017

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Anthony Foster, a relentless and high-profile advocate for Catholic abuse victims, is gravely ill after suffering what is believed to have been a major stroke.

Key members of the community rallying against church abuse were told yesterday that Mr Foster faced the battle of his life to survive the illness.

Mr Foster, aged in his early 60s, rose to national prominence during the 2008 visit to Australia by Pope Benedict for World Youth Day, when he publicly chided the pontiff and Cardinal George Pell over the church’s handling of the scandal that engulfe­d his family.

Two of Mr Foster’s daughters were raped by Father Kevin O’Donnell at a primary school in Melbourne’s Oakleigh parish, with one committing suicide in 2007 and another profoundly injured­ after apparently self-medicating and being struck by a car in 1999.

Peter Blenkiron, an abuse survivor from the western Victorian diocese of Ballarat, said Mr Foster was a relentless supporter of victims. “I think we’ve all fought alongside him on the battlefield for truth,’’ he said. “It’s bought so many people together. It just breaks my heart.’’