By Paul Gray
The former Archbishop of Melbourne, Sir Frank Little, has been remembered as a man who was happier being a simple priest than in being a leader burdened with the responsibilities of Episcopal office.
Archbishop Little died in his sleep at home in Melbourne last week. He was 82.
It was Archbishop Little’s resignation for health reasons in 1996 which led to the elevation of then Bishop George Pell – now Cardinal Pell – to the rank of Archbishop.
Cardinal Pell’s successor in Melbourne, Archbishop Denis Hart, told The Record last week that Archbishop Little “was always a man of great humility and compassion.”
He was a man who built friendships everywhere he went as a priest.
The late Archbishop showed “constant gratitude” for the gifts of faith and life, and he was loved by many people because of this, Archbishop Hart said.
Archbishop Little was ordained to the priesthood at Propaganda Fide college in Rome in 1950, and was consecrated a bishop by Cardinal James Knox during the International Eucharistic Congress in 1973.
A year later he succeeded Cardinal Knox as Archbishop of Melbourne. Last week numerous commentators observed that Archbishop Little found the tasks of Episcopal office burdensome, and frequently worried greatly over the details of projects.
In an obituary, Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Prowse recalled Archbishop Little’s own version of how he learned of his appointment to the See of Melbourne.
This occurred while the future Archbishop, who was a lifelong Essendon football fan, was visiting a friend’s house on his way to a match between Essendon and Collingwood.
“I was told there was a foreigner on the phone,” Archbishop Little later wrote. “It was the Pro-nuncio who said the Holy Father had chosen me for the See of Melbourne. Two minutes later he said ‘are you still there?’ I said I would call him the next day.
Archbishop Little completed the story: “I rang him on the morrow after a brilliant Essendon victory and said if that was the wish of the Holy Father I would have to accept it.”
Questioned by The Record about whether his predecessor had been more comfortable in the role of priest or bishop, Archbishop Hart said that after retirement he returned to more ordinary priestly duties with enthusiasm.
“He liked it and he excelled in the role,” he said. Archbishop Hart said that once the burdens of Episcopal office were removed, the pastoral gifts of Archbishop Little shone through.
Up until his death Archbishop Little remained active in the priestly role. He had agreed to launch a new book edited by Fr Anthony Pagononi on April 27.
The book, The Pastoral Care of Italians¸ was a natural topic of interest for the late Archbishop who was active helping Italian migrant families settle in Australia, in his early years as a priest in the 1950s and 1960s.
As Archbishop, Sir Frank Little was also active in supporting lay movements such as the Teams of Our Lady, and in encouraging ecumenical initiatives. He himself was close friends with the late Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Frank Woods.
Archbishop Little was made a Knight Commander of the British Empire in 1977.
Archbishop Hart said he had once heard the late Archbishop relate the story of how, as a young boy of seven or eight, he had crept down the corridor of his family home late at night and walked in to his father’s study.
His father, who had lost a leg in World War I, was kneeling, with his head in his hands, praying.
Archbishop Little said seeing his own father expressing faith this way came as a terrific shock to him. He said this became a defining moment in his life.