Former Melbourne Archbishop Frank Little, who championed Vatican II reforms and confronted the Victorian state government over its "casino culture", died in his sleep Monday night.Archbishop Thomas Francis Little was the first Victorian to lead the nation's most populous diocese, The Australian reports.
Succeeding the late Cardinal James Knox in 1974, he embraced Melbourne's growing cultural diversity and reached out to the disadvantaged, friends told the paper yesterday.
A fanatical supporter of AFL team Essendon, he was knighted in 1977.
Melbourne's Catholic Archbishop Denis Hart said Archbishop Little's death would be felt deeply by many in Melbourne. "Archbishop Little will be fondly remembered as a dedicated caring leader of the church for 22 years," he said. "His sincere pastoral style and concern for his people was admired by all who met him."
Before resigning as archbishop in 1996, Sir Frank became increasingly involved in public affairs as political debate touched on issues such as gambling, invitro fertilisation and euthanasia.
He was unimpressed by the "casino culture" he felt flourished under former premier Jeff Kennett, using a 1995 Christmas Day sermon to urge Christians to save the meaning of Christmas from the casino, the grand prix and other "attacks of the secular culture".
Later, he applauded Prime Minister John Howard's opposition to the Northern Territory euthanasia legislation, saying: "I am thrilled that our national leader has adopted a courageous stance for the support of life."
Former Pentridge prison chaplain Peter Norden recalled Archbishop Little's Christmas visits to Pentridge 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.
Ballarat Bishop Peter Connors said the former archbishop was a great theologian, reader and ecumenist who had a close relationship with Anglican Archbishop Sir Frank Woods, The Age adds.
"I had 13 lovely years sitting opposite him at breakfast every morning. He was a holy man. He loved God and God's people."
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