Campaigner, Anthony Foster, left a legacy of ‘pushing justice’ for victims of child sex abuse in the Catholic church in Australia, mourners at his state funeral in Melbourne, heard today (7 June).
“His greatest campaign is on child sex abuse for people in the Catholic church. This is his legacy, pushing justice,” his brother, Brian Foster, said at the funeral on Wednesday.
“The personal cost to Anthony and [his wife] Chrissie has been enormous.”
Anthony Foster, who was 64, was a tireless advocate for their daughters Emma and Kate, who were raped by an infamous paedophile priest at their primary school in Melbourne during 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.
Foster died last month after a suspected stroke.
Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria State, praised Anthony and Chrissie Foster’s “extraordinary courage”.
“They had faced their own tragedy, a betrayal of trust and then denial,” he said.
“Then remarkably the Fosters dedicated their lives to fighting on behalf of every victim. Fighting for every childhood taken and every family broken.”
The funeral, held at Melbourne recital centre and hosted by ABC radio, was attended by over a 1,000 mourners.
Chrissie Foster accepted the state funeral to commemorate a man who has been described as having: “quietly and profoundly changed Australian history”.
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