Frank Little (bishop)
The Most Reverend Sir Frank Little Propaganda Fide, Rome; Pontifical Urban University |
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| Styles of Sir Frank Little | |
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Your Grace | |
| Religious style | Archbishop |
Sir Thomas Francis Little
Life and career
Early life and background
Little's father, Gerald Thompson Little, was a
Early priesthood
Little commenced training for the
In 1953, Little returned to Melbourne. He was appointed assistant priest to
Episcopate
Little was consecrated a bishop on 21 February 1973 by
In 1983, Little attended the Synod of Bishops in Rome, themed "Reconciliation". During his time as Archbishop of Melbourne his support of the education and renewal for the Catholic community expressed itself in such initiatives as the publication of the religious education guidelines, the launch of the RENEW program, the establishment of deaneries, and the "Tomorrow's Church" process. Little was committed to the continuing formation of laity and priests. He was known in Melbourne for his support for the Essendon Football Club. In July 1996 his resignation from the office of archbishop, for reasons of health, was accepted by the Pope.[4]
In the 1977
In 2002 there were media reports that Little failed to address issues associated with the
In 2013, the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into abuse of children was told by Archbishop Denis Hart that Little had covered up paedophile priests and moved them to other parishes where they would abuse again.[7]
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse concluded that Little had "dismissed or ignored serious allegations of child sexual abuse against a number of priests" between 1974 and 1996.[8]
St Patrick's College in Ballarat has stated that it would remove Little's name from a building which had been named in his honour and revoke his status as an inducted "Legend of the College".[9]
Death
Little died in April 2008 and was buried in the crypt of St Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne.[10]
Notes
- ^ Brolly 2008 and Zwartz 2008 both say Little died on 7 April. Note that a death notice placed in The Age newspaper by "the Bishops, Priests and people of the Archdiocese of Melbourne" stated that Little "died peacefully at home on the [morning of] 8 April 2008" (The Age, 10 April 2008, page 13).
References
- ^ Commonly known as "Sir Frank" as in this story here Hannan, Ewin (9 April 2008). "Archbishop Frank Little dies at 82". The Australian. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ "Archbishop Thomas Francis Little". The Catholic Hierarchy. 19 February 2011. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
- ^ Cunningham, Melissa (6 December 2017). "Little legacy lost after school wipes former archbishop's name from school building". The Age. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Brolly, Mark (10 April 2008). "Gentle leader of flock in changing era". The Age (obituary). p. 14. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ "No. 47234". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1977. p. 7104.
- ^ Ellingsen, Peter (4 May 2002). "Speak no evil". The Age. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ^ Zwartz, Barney (27 May 2013). "The man in the big chair". The Age. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- ^ Wrigley, Brendan (5 December 2017). "Royal Commission slams former Ballarat Bishop in Melbourne report". The Courier. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ Cunningham, Melissa (6 December 2017). "Little legacy lost after St Pat's wipes former archbishop's name". The Courier. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
- ^ Zwartz, Barney (9 April 2008). "Mild-mannered Archbishop Little dead at 82". The Age. p. 4. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
