Still Standing

by Chrissie Foster, Paul Kennedy

There are few more moving experiences than for the silenced to be heard.

Chrissie Foster is the mother who brought the rich and powerful Catholic Church to its knees over its global abuse of children, including two of her daughters, Emma and Katie. Like the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team, she built an undeniable case in her first book, Hell on the Way to Heaven, which helped inspire Australian governments to hold world-leading inquiries.

This is what happened next.

Grieving the death of Emma and the catastrophic accident that left Katie largely using a wheelchair and unable to care for herself, and bullied by the Catholic Church, Chrissie Foster somehow found the strength to win and bring about changes in child safety that she hopes will last forever. From the cities and towns of Australia all the way to Rome, her tenacity and bravery to see justice delivered are unequalled. In this confronting account she explains the incredible battle she fought together with her husband, Anthony, and how she found the strength to continue even after his tragic and untimely death.

Her ongoing activism inspires others to challenge once-powerful male-dominated institutions. In the face of horrifying adversity, Chrissie Foster has come through it to a place of peace.

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

Reviews

[erivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling narrative of Chrissie Foster's unwavering fight for justice within the Catholic Church. Despite unimaginable personal tragedy, she courageously advocates for accountability and inspires others to challenge powerful institutions. A moving call to action, this book is a must-read for those who believe in the power of resilience to effect change.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bravery and determination of Christie and Antony Foster have done so much for the victims of child abuse within the Catholic Church. Never have I been so enraged by nearly every page of a book. The actions of the priests would land others in prison but the church wriggles out at every opportunity and leaves these criminals free to continue their abuse.

Not pleasant content but this book is a must read. The behaviour of the church hierarchy totally undermines the good done by caring, empathetic members of the priesthood.

I am still seething from the injustices perpetuated by these criminals and have nothing but praise and admiration for the Fosters and all who helped and stood by them.

[Carol Goodlass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute must read

Following the Fosters journey alongside the Victorian and Royal commission, this book shows what can be achieved when good people take brave steps.

[Margaret Gourley]

To take on the Catholic Church, one of the world's richest organisations showed absolute guts and determination. Those who feather their own nests at the expense of beautiful and innocent children should be brought down and shamed with no excuses at all. A real eye opener of a book that needed to be written. Chrissie Foster and Paul Kennedy, thank you.

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with Chrissie and Paul’s first book, so hard to read. Which is nothing compared with the suffering revealed. Thank you for your tireless commitment Chrissie.

[Sharon Gamble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done Chrissie and family. So many lessons for all of us. And it’s an excellent bibliography