Benemerenti Medal for Joanne

The Archdiocese of Port of Spain presented former Chancellor Joanne Fortune-Miller with a Papal Award, the Benemerenti Medal on June 3, the day before the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Here’s her profile.

For 18 years, Joanne Fortune-Miller has given generous and dedicated service to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Port of Spain. Joanne’s contribution has been both substantial and historic, and its fruits will remain part of the institutional life of the local Church for many years to come.

Born into a practising Catholic family on January 31, 1961, Joanne was the second to last child of the Fortune family’s legacy of 13 children. Her formative years were spent at the Malick Roman Catholic Primary School, Malick, Barataria. She then went on to complete her secondary school education at Holy Name Convent in Port of Spain where she attained the required qualifications to facilitate her acceptance at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Barbados.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Law, Joanne returned to Trinidad to begin a career in the financial industry which lasted for approximately 17 years.

One could say that Joanne has given almost equally to her professional career life and her volunteerism. As Director for Funding and Development, Joanne undertook the task of raising funds in the sum of TT $60 million for the restoration of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain.

The successful mobilisation of resources will always be remembered as a defining moment in the modern history of the Archdiocese. The Cathedral now stands as a remarkable gift to local Catholics and the nation in the heart of the capital.

Subsequently, Joanne accepted the appointment as Episcopal Delegate for Chancery Administration and shortly thereafter Chancellor of the Archdiocese. These appointments were undertaken at a time of real institutional vulnerability and transition.

Joanne’s courage, perseverance, and integrity in leading the Archdiocese through the demanding processes of financial reform, external audit, and regulatory compliance resulted in the establishment of externally audited accounts and the securing of the Archdiocese’s Non-profit Organisation (NPO) status. These were landmark accomplishments that restored stability.

It must be remarked that Joanne bore the heavy burden of her dual responsibilities under both Canon Law and Civil Law with patience, fidelity, a deep sense of ecclesial duty and much personal sacrifice. Her honesty, forthright counsel, and unwavering commitment to the good of the Church, even in moments of strain and disagreement, has helped to lay foundations upon which future generations of Lay Church leaders can build.

The narrative of Joanne’s personal life also speaks to that of a selfless human being.  She met her husband, Kurt, in Barbados while at university and in good stead they became a family of five.

Throughout their marriage, she has been a faithful wife, mother and more recently grandmother tending to the needs of her family. She continues to be an active member of her parish as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist.

The Archdiocese is profoundly grateful for Joanne’s years of faithful service. She will always remain a meaningful part of the story of the local Church.