A Message of Victory and Hope: Wisconsin Priest Wins Defamation Lawsuits Against False Accusations Then Writes Book to Support Others

In the 20+ years of publishing our web site and spotlighting numerous cases of falsely accused priests, we have never encountered a case quite like that of Rev. Jay Fostner from Wisconsin. In the span of just a few years, 2018 to 2024: Fr. Fostner was:

• falsely accused of sexual abuse by a repeat accuser looking to score additional cash;
• falsely accused of mishandling sexual misconduct complaints while a vice president at St. Norbert College (De Pere, WI); and
• defamed multiple times on social media.

Multiple investigations were conducted into these accusations and found zero misconduct by Fr. Fostner. None at all. Nada. Niete. And while these ordeals were excruciating for Fr. Fostner, unlike the experiences of many other falsely accused priests, his story has an uplifting ending.

It all started a while back, when a pair of online zealots began spreading false information about Fostner on Facebook and in local media, claiming that the priest had mishandled complaints of sexual misconduct while at St. Norbert's. None of it was true, but the posts did real damage to Fostner's priesthood.

As a result of the online attacks, Fostner lost his job at St. Norbert's, and his reputation was in shatters. In effect, Fostner was canceled. But Fostner took matters into his own hands and sued the duo for defamation. And he won. [Read about the suits here and here.]

Not the end of the story

Then, following his courtroom victories, Fr. Fostner wanted to chronicle his long ordeal, not just as a way to share his devastating story but also to impart the lessons he learned about healing and recovering from the public attacks he endured. The result was Fr. Fostner's recently published new book, Uncanceled: Reclaiming Your Story (Amazon.com).

In addition to a personal retelling of his adversity, Fostner shares how a therapeutic approach called Meaning Reconstruction Therapy (MRT) and its emphasis on meaning-making can lead to recovery from trauma, such as that suffered from public defamation. The goal of recovering from public harm is, in the end, healing. As Fr. Fostner writes:

"I learned that healing is not just about clearing your name or proving your innocence. It is about reclaiming your identity, rediscovering your purpose, and allowing the trials you've endured to shape you into someone stronger and more compassionate." (p. 104)

In a world which often seems mired in both despair and condemnation, Fr. Fostner's book of encouragement and support is a much-needed breath of fresh air, and his work is a gift to the Church.

We hope others take notice.

The book: Uncanceled: Reclaiming Your Story by Rev. Jay Fostner, O. Praem., Ph.D.