Eric Arthur PITT

PITT, ERIC ARTHUR (b. Melbourne, Vic, 28 Dec 1912; d. Dorking, Kent, England, 19 July 1978). Anglican clergyman.

Eric Pitt's upbringing and education were English (BA Cambridge 1935, Ridley College). He was ordained deacon Manchester 1937, priest 1938. There followed curacies and an RAF chaplaincy. Appointed dean of St Andrew's cathedral, Sydney 1953, he exercised an outgoing, clubbable ministry, reaching a wide ambit of Sydney society. 'He was rather naive and was not easily rebuffed. He was impulsive, volatile, outspoken, with a breezy optimism which made him more or less impervious to the feelings of others in certain circumstances.' (Loane, 89). He strongly promoted the appointment of Hugh Gough as abp of Sydney in 1959, and saw himself as Gough's right hand man. As archdeacon of first Cumberland (while still dean) then full time in Wollongong he exercised a vigorous ministry. Failure to be appointed first bishop in Wollongong in 1969 generated a sense of personal failure which eventually led to a return to England and parish work in Cheriton, Hants. Here once again his boyish enthusiasm for English culture influenced his ministry. He was killed in a car crash.

M Loane, Mark These Men (Sydney, 1985)

BRIAN DICKEY