Catholic Religious Australia mourns the passing of Archbishop Sir Frank Little, a Church leader with a great heart and mind who showed kindness towards all. The religious sisters, brothers and priests of Australia give thanks for the encouragement that Archbishop Little gave to our life in the Church.
from public notice from Catholic Religious Australia, for The Age and The Australian
The former Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Thomas Francis Little died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Camberwell, Victoria, on Monday, April 7, aged 82.
His solemn pontifical concelebrated funeral Mass was held in St Patrick's Cathedral, East Melbourne, on Tuesday, April 15, after a reception of the body and a vigil Mass were conducted on the night of Monday, April 14. His body has been interred in the Archbishops' Crypt.
Archbishop Sir Frank Little was born in Moonee Ponds on November 30, 1925.
In 1943 he entered Corpus Christi College, Werribee, to begin studies for the priesthood. In 1947, these continued at Propaganda Fide College, Rome, before he was ordained to the priesthood in the chapel of the college on October 3, 1950, by Cardinal Fumasoni Biondi. For the next three years he pursued his doctoral studies through the Urban University in Rome and was awarded his doctorate in 1953.
On his return to Melbourne, also in 1953, he was appointed as assistant priest to Carlton.
Twenty years later, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne and Titular Bishop of Temuniana. He was ordained a bishop in Melbourne on February 21, 1973, by Cardinal James Knox during the International Eucharistic Congress.
Two particular honours were bestowed on Archbishop Little in recognition of his many years of leadership not only in the Roman Catholic Church, but also the wider community:
In 1977 he was created a Knight Commander of the British Empire and
on April 10, 1992, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Theology by the Melbourne College of Divinity, particularly for his work for ecumenism and theological education in the archdiocese.
A commitment to the continuing formation of lay people and priests was a characteristic of Archbishop Little's episcopal ministry.
He also was well known in his native city for his ardent support for Essendon Football Club.
(for a much more detailed biohraphy
Among the many tributes that have flowed, stories told and articles written are:
(for the full articles, please follow the links)
On his retirement, Sir Frank said the highlight of his career had been driving around Flemington Racecourse with Pope John Paul II in 1987.
"I was in the Popemobile with the holy father and we were going down the straight, away from people, and then there was a lady who was separated from everyone else and she saw her opportunity and ran over to the fence," he said.
"The holy father was getting ready to wave to her, then she waved like mad and yelled out 'Hello, Archbishop Little'. He was marvellous, he was sort of taken aback for a moment, and then he turned around and sort of smiled saying, 'Win some, lose some'."
and
Former Pentridge prison chaplain Peter Norden (SJ) said his fondest memory of Sir Frank was the effort he made each year to attend the early-morning Christmas Day mass at the prison.
"He had presided over the busy midnight mass service at the cathedral, and would appear soon after 8am at the gates of Pentridge prison. Then, after a quick cuppa with the inmates, he would be back to the cathedral for another packed cathedral congregation at 11am," Father Norden said.
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Ballarat Bishop Peter Connors - Sir Frank's private secretary, then Vicar-General, then auxiliary bishop - said the former archbishop was a great theologian, reader and ecumenist who had a close relationship with Anglican Archbishop Sir Frank Woods.
"I had 13 lovely years sitting opposite him at breakfast every morning. He was a holy man. He loved God and God's people. He was always fearful of hurting priests, and found it hard to correct or reprimand a priest."
and
Retired priest Eric Hodgens said: "The priests liked him. He understood Vatican II (1960s reforms of the Catholic Church) and its spirit, and was also an intelligent bishop and a reader."
Frank was a natural parish priest, even as Archbishop. His people were family. His ritual and preaching were about connection with God and others. He was at his best when meeting people, and his warm interest in them commended the faith they found represented in him.
As Archbishop he never complained about the responsibilities that he bore, but it could not have been easy. He disliked confrontation and his first thought in the decisions he made was for those whom they would hurt.
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