Volume 19, Issue 7

  An atmosphere of beauty and transcendence surrounded the lowering of the casket containing the mortal remains of our deceased father-in-the-faith Archbishop Francis Little into the crypt of St Patrick’s Cathedral. In harmony with the late Archbishop’s motto, the whole celebration of the funeral liturgy was a cry of Kyrie Eleison – at once a petition and a celebration of the Easter victory over sin, death and corruption.

PHOTO'S BY JOHN AND PETER CASAMENTO

 An atmosphere of beauty and transcendence surrounded the lowering of the casket containing the mortal remains of our deceased father-in-the-faith Archbishop Francis Little into the crypt of St Patrick’s Cathedral. In harmony with the late Archbishop’s motto, the whole celebration of the funeral liturgy was a cry of Kyrie Eleison – at once a petition and a celebration of the Easter victory over sin, death and corruption.

The last Archbishop of Melbourne to be laid to rest in St Patrick’s was James Robert Cardinal Knox, Archbishop Frank’s predecessor. Although he had resigned as Archbishop of Melbourne to take up his role in the Vatican Curia, Cardinal Knox was interred in the crypt after his death 25 years ago in 1983.

There was standing room only in the Cathedral for the 2500 who attended. Twenty-eight bishops from around Australia, including Cardinal Pell, Cardinal Cassidy and the Papal Nuncio, and about 200 priests were present to concelebrate the funeral Mass with Archbishop Denis Hart. Organist Paul Taylor, cantor John Caddy, soloist Judith Dodsworth and the Choir of Corpus Christi College provided the music that carried the celebration, including Faure’s Pie Jesu and Franck’s Panis Angelicus. The congregation joined enthusiastically in singing McAuly’s In Faith and Hope and Love, Wilcock’s Psalm 122, Toolan’s I am the Bread of Life, as well as the farewell songs, Saints of God, the In Paradisum and the Regina Caeli.

The service was attended by a number of state and political dignitaries. By unfortunate coincidence, the funeral of John Button was being celebrated at the same time as Sir Frank’s service, necessitating the Governor and the Premier to be represented by Lieutenant-Colonel John Raike (for the Governor of Victoria, David de Kretser) and state Labor Minister James Merlino (for Premier John Brumby). State Liberal MP Martin Dixon represented the Leader of the Opposition, Ted Baillieu. Also in attendance were former governor of Victoria Sir James Gobbo and Lady Shirley, and Peter Ryan MP, leader of the National Party of Victoria.

Of particular note was the attendance of friends of the Archdiocese from other Christian communions and other religious organisations, marking in a special way the work that Archbishop Frank did to promote ecumenical relationships in Melbourne. Present were the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne, Dr Philip Freier, and the Vicar of St Peter’s, Eastern Hill, Reverend John Davis. From the Council of Christians and Jews: Morna Sturrock, Bill Clancy, Walter Rapaport and Albert Isaacs; and also from the Jewish community, Drs Paul and Helen Gardner. From the Muslim Australian Intercultural Society: Professor Ismail Albayrak, Emre Celik and Osman Orka; and from the Hindu community, Karuppan Chockalingam.

When giving the homily, Archbishop Hart occasionally interrupted the narrative of his predecessor’s life to introduce passages from scripture:

“I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.” (Apocalypse 21:1)

“If we have died with him, then we shall live with him. If we hold firm, then we shall reign with him.” (2 Timothy 2:11-12)

“For the love of my brethren and friends I say peace upon you.” (Ps 121.8)

Long after the last verse was sung and the last bell tolled, these verses linger in the thoughts of those who attended the funeral.

In the words of Archbishop Denis Hart: “Archbishop Frank, our father, our friend and companion, may you rest in peace.”