Joyce Elvira Balnaves

On the 1st November 1998, Joyce Balnaves was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice or Cross of Honour. The medal was presented by Bishop Patrick Power, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn at St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra.





Background


Joyce Elvira Weiland was born in London, England, in 1927. In 1949 she married John Balnaves and in 1950 converted to the Catholic Church. In 1956 her family emigrated to Western Australia. She has four children, two sons born in England (Paul and Charles), and two sons born in Australia (Mark and Edmund).

In England she worked as a Private Secretary and as a Member of the Red Cross. However, foremost in her career has been her voluntary work in many fields.

In the 1960's in Canberra, Joyce qualified with merit in teaching Religious Education. Through the Catholic Women's League, she was a Catechist for some 25 years and started the ministry to disabled children, including for their sacraments and assistance to parents. She was the parish secretary in two suburbs in Canberra. She taught in five schools weekly for many years, including teaching physically and intellectually disabled children in Braddon parish. She co-founded the teaching of religion ecumenically in some government schools. She participated in Religious Education teacher training courses, giving lectures with a specialty in visual aids. She participated in Religious Education training courses, giving lectures with a specialty in visual aids. She co-started the parish school of religion in Kaleen parish and began ecumenical teaching in Kaleen Primary School and Giralang primary school. From 1966-1968 she was Secretary of the Freedom From Hunger Campaign of the ACT.

Catholic Women's League

In 1989 Joyce was elected the Archdiocesan President of the CWL in Canberra/Goulburn. She was elected the National President of the CWLA in 1990. During preliminary Synod processes, she wrote an issue paper on Euthanasia, was Convenor of the Committee of the Church in the Modern World, then the Commission on Social Justice prior to the Synod. She was a Synod Member. In 1991-1995 she was the Founding Chairperson fo the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Social Justice Commission. During that time she collaborated in the establishment of the Disability Services in Centacare, made many submissions, brought rural issues to the fore, as well as issues of suicide and domestic violence. In 1991 she organised the CWLA Conference in Canberra.

In 1996 she was the Archdiocesan President of the CWL, and was awarded Archdiocesan Life Membership of Canberra and Goulburn.

World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations

In 1983 Joyce was elected the CWLA nominee as the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisations (WUCWO) Board Member. She was elected at WUCWO Assembly in Nova Scotia, and introduced the special subject of Bioethics. She attended the National Conference in Darwin as WUCWO Board member and presented a paper on the WUCWO Assembly. In 1984 she attended the WUCWO Board Meeting in Holland. In 1987 she was elected the WUCWO Vice President for the Asia Pacific Region. She initiated the WUCWO Bioethics Working Party and convened it. From 1992-1996 she was the Convenor of the Planning Committee to organise the WUCWO Assembly. She held and co-ordinated the assembly in 1996 in Canberra.

The Medal

The Cross of Honour "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice" (Cruz or Croce "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice") was established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The text of the certificate accompanying the medal reads :

The Supreme Pontiff
JOHN PAUL II
has vouchsafed to bestow upon
Domina Joyce Balnaves
the insignia of the venerable cross
PRO ECCLESIA ET PONTIFICE
which was established especially for those who are conspicuous for their outstanding
work and zeal; and he grants to her the right to wear this mark of honour.

(trans.John Balnaves)

Some shots from the event (30-40K each):

The same photos uncompressed (200-300K each):