Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017:
Little, Peter

Theologian; born Melbourne, 14 May 1921; died Sydney, 29 June 1999, aged 78.

Peter Little was the first of seven children and educated by the Christian Brothers. He entered the Society of Jesus, 16 February 1937, at Loyola College, Watsonia, at the age of 15. Throughout his life, Little was appreciated by all for his friendliness and kindness. Difference of opinion never resulted in breach of relationships.

He studied philosophy, and completed his university studies at Loyola College, Watsonia, 1939-44, with a BA in English, Latin and Greek. Regency was at Xavier College, Burke Hall, 1945-47. Theology studies followed at Canisius College, Pymble.

After tertianship at Sevenhill, South Australia, in 1952, Little went to Rome, 1954-55, for post-graduate studies in ascetical theology, his doctoral thesis studying how the altar represented the body of Christ.

He returned to Australia in 1956, and taught dogmatic theology and liturgy at Canisius College, Pymble, until 1960. These subjects he taught again at Corpus Christi College, Glen Waverley, 1961-69. At various times he was also prefect of studies, prefect of discipline, spiritual director to the students, as well as chaplain to Monash University, 1962-65. After teaching boys religion at Xavier College in 1970, Little returned to Canisius College to direct retreats, 1971-72, and then lectured in theology at St Paul's seminary, Kensington, 1972-74. He spent 1975 in Indonesia teaching English, and 1976 as secretary to the provincial. From 1977 he resided at the parish of St. Mary's, North Sydney.

Essentially, Little was the ever happy, cheerful enthusiast be it for health foods, incense and singing in the liturgy, the Better World Movement, Montessori, UFOs, the Shroud of Turin, Papal authority, his Fiat 500, Rome, or debating about issues of faith and morals. He gave talks on TV and ABC radio, and at Adult Education Courses under Dr Ryan MSC. He also gave weekly courses in theology to trainee Sister teachers during the 1950s. Preached thirty-day retreats were no trouble to him. Basically, from the content of his lectures, Little might be considered a nominalist or conceptualist, ever concerned with concepts or ideas, which led to lack of sensitivity to others. Some interpreted this as selfishness and obstinacy.

While teaching theology at Canisius College, Pymble, his zeal for spreading the faith resulted in his attending the Sydney Domain on Sunday afternoons to talk about the Catholic faith. He always drew a crowd, and occasionally was moved on by the police for disturbing the peace. One adversary, an atheist Charlie, with whom he regularly engaged in dialogue, accepted Little's persistence in dialogue to the extent of inviting him to address a meeting of atheists, which he did with his usual careful preparation and enthusiasm. The uproar that followed after a short time, and the lively repartee, did not seem to unphase him.

At Glen Waverley he taught the tract on the Church, and was an avid listener to Vatican Radio during the Second Vatican Council. He was full of interest in hearing the latest item of news. He generated much student interest in the Council. He was also keen to use teaching aids during his lectures, be it the structure of the Church or the details of the Billings method of birth control. In his spare time he was a part-time chaplain to the newly established Monash University. After a time, his work as prefect of discipline was not working, and there were growing different theological opinions. The provincial thought Little might be happier teaching RE in a school according to modern methods!

Little found it difficult to accept that others may arrive at contrary conclusions from his own or those Jesuits who appeared not always to publicly defend Papal documents. His love of the Church, his loyalty to the magisterium, his total allegiance to the Holy Father, his fidelity to the canons, seemed to him to be entirely consistent and self evident within the propositions of the Catholic faith. His very conservative interpretation of Church documents frequently made him critical of all who did not share his narrow and reactionary perspectives. He also found it hard to accept priests who did not comply completely with the liturgical rubrics at Mass, and was very negative about altar girls. He frequently wrote letters to the provincial complaining about unorthodox Jesuits. This position made it difficult for him to attend Jesuit gatherings. In later years he would develop angina pains during serious theological discussions relating to current theological issues, especially about authority of the sacred magisterium, Humanae Vitae, IVF programmes and women priests. He was never very keen on Father Pedro Arrupe and his social justice issues.

His respect for authority had a basis in his admiration for leaders, especially military men, like General Douglas Macarthur. He loved war films, and would use the military metaphor to exhort others to take up battle stations against the enemies of the Church, to identity lines of engagement, to seek the ascendancy. He even warned against a fifth column. He urged military loyalty and discipline for the battles in life, especially within oneself. Constant vigilance was needed.

He spent his last 20 years exploring how best to present traditional Church teaching - scripture, encyclicals, liturgy and prayer - to very dedicated followers at the Marian Center, Broadway, where he also set up the Rome and Holy Land Center. His great knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, Rome and the Holy Land was happily communicated to those who took part in his pilgrimages. He had considerable knowledge of Spanish, Italian, French and Latin. His office behind St Benedict's Church was an old classroom with tables of books, records and artwork. Walls were covered with images of saints, the Holy Father, Mary, the Shroud - charts and maps, shelves with books from theology to thrillers; magazines, and newspaper cuttings suitably annotated. He produced a monthly newsletter to friends on current papal documentation, theological issues, prayer, the history of Rome, and how best to communicate the faith.

Little's daily Mass at his center was deeply devotional with a sung Gospel and clouds of incense, together with a pithy and deep homiletic reflection. His daily rosary reflected his love for Mary, and his recitation of the breviary in public places such as walking to the beach, along the street, or waiting in a crowd was typical of him.

He developed a heart condition in 1988, but instead of surgery, believed he could control his condition with a vitamin E diet. He was able to continue his work until a by-pass operation resulted in his heart unable to resume its beat. Little's vision of life, cheerful and confidently lived, was based on his assurance that his theological and spiritual vision was totally faithful to the traditions of the Church.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)