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Anthony Foster和太太（Getty Images）
Tributes paid to justice advocate whose two daughters were abused by a priest in the 1980s and 90s
Anthony Foster, shown with pictures of his daughters Emma and Katie, both abuse victims, in March 2016 after a meeting with Cardinal George Pell in Rome. Photograph: Riccardo De Luca/APThe chair of Australia’s child sex abuse royal commission has said he is “deeply saddened” by the death of tireless victims advocate Anthony Foster.
Foster, who became a relentless advocate after his daughters were raped by a priest, was reported to have died on Friday evening from a major stroke.
Foster and his wife, Chrissie, shared their torment to the media and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Justice Peter McClellan extended his condolences to the Foster family and praised their dedication to achieving justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.
“They attended hundreds of days of public hearings and participated in many of our policy roundtables,” McClellan said.
“With a dignity and grace, Anthony and Chrissie generously supported countless survivors and their families whilst also managing their own grief.
“Commissioners and staff at the royal commission are deeply shocked and saddened by this news.”
Foster’s daughters, Emma and Katie, suffered sexual abuse at the hands of pedophile priest Kevin O’Donnell at their Melbourne school between 1988 and 1993.
Emma took an overdose of her medication and died in 2008, while Katie was hit by a car and is now brain damaged and in a wheelchair.
Tributes poured in for Foster on Saturday, with many describing the father as a voice for survivors who struggled to discuss their personal experiences.
“Anthony was the person that stood up and he spoke in quiet but powerful words, and in many ways you know, he roared like a lion on this issue,” friend Paul Kennedy said.
Kennedy co-authored a book, Hell on the Way to Heaven, with Foster in 2010.
“It is just so sad for everyone that Anthony Foster has died,” he said.
Fellow victims’ advocate Manny Waks said he was devastated to hear of the death of his friend and colleague.
“Anthony, together with his dear wife Chrissie, has been one of my inspirations,” he wrote on Facebook.
“Despite all they endured, they maintained determination and dignity in their ongoing campaign for justice and reform within the Catholic Church – for them and for others.”
Waks voiced his anger with the Catholic church for the “ongoing pain and suffering they caused the Fosters”.
“At the very least they should belatedly publicly acknowledge the incredible work by such an amazing family,” he said.
“They should belatedly publicly apologise to Anthony and Chrissie Foster.
“Many of us are mourning with you. We will continue to support you in whatever way we can.”
