Farewell to a courageous, remarkable man

By Annie Young
Bendigo Advertiser
June 01, 2017

http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/4699955/a-tireless-advocate-for-the-survivors-of-abuse/

One story above all others which can reduce me to tears is the story of Anthony and Chrissie Foster.

What heartbreak after so many years of fighting the Catholic Church for justice for their daughters, two of whom were sexually assaulted by a priest, that Anthony Foster died unexpectedly last week.

This is a man who endured years of stonewalling to find justice for the survivors of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, including two of his three daughters. As chairman of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Justice Peter McClellan said: “With dignity and grace, Anthony and Chrissie generously supported countless survivors and their families whilst also managing their own grief”.

Anthony Foster was a tireless advocate for the survivors of sexual assault by priests. He died following a stroke. It is such a tragic loss for those still seeking a way through the grief and anguish they have suffered at the hands of appalling out of control predatory priests. His wife Chrissie was by his side, as she has been through every step of this heartbreaking, tragic story. Their marriage only became stronger as they fought for justice for the survivors, where many other relationships broke down irretrievably.

It was years before their daughters could describe to their parents the sexual assaults they experienced at the hands of local priest Kevin O’Donnell, which then explained something of their own behaviours as teenagers.

Anthony and Chrissie Foster lost their first daughter in 2009 to suicide at 26 years of age after years of turmoil and a decade-long court battle with a Catholic Church heavily into denial.

Their second daughter is severely disabled after years of drinking heavily and being hit by a drunk-driver in 1999. Both stories directly relate to being raped repeatedly by O’Donnell when in primary school. 

O’Donnell was moved from one post to another by various bishops as complaints by parents surfaced but never removed as a priest by the church. During those 50 years, both priests and the church hierarchy knew O’Donnell was a dangerous man around children.

One could excuse what happened by flippantly resorting to ‘in hindsight’, but that excuses nothing, when church authorities knew of his and many other priests’ behaviour towards the innocent. What makes this story more appalling is that when O’Donnell retired from active duties as a priest he was granted the status of Pastor Emeritus, an honour bestowed on someone who has provided great service to his church.

Anthony Foster took on the might and authority of the Catholic Church but it took a huge toll on both him and his family.

He remained a dignified, calm spokesman for the many survivors whose voices were not heard for so many years by the Catholic hierarchy.

I am proud to know that Victoria has offered a state funeral to Anthony Foster’s family. If we can give footy great Lou Richards a state funeral, we can certainly give Anthony Foster a state funeral worthy of a truly remarkable, courageous man.

In the words of Daniel Andrews, Victorian Premier “Anthony campaigned tirelessly for justice...(over) the evil done to his daughters and his family”.

His legacy will be the findings of the Royal Commission due later this year, which he and Chrissie attended frequently.

Perhaps they may dedicate those findings to Anthony Foster.