War stories focus on men in arms. But women played an important part too. In World War I New Zealand nurses became heroes in the eyes of wounded servicemen.  Likewise, stories from Catholic Church history focus on men in soutanes. But women have played an important role here too. One such was Ann Buckley, also known as Annie. She was a woman of strength, a pioneer and leader of the Christchurch branch of the Catholic Women’s League.

A highly regarded Christchurch nurse, Buckley joined the New Zealand Army Nursing Service in 1914. She was a member of the original group of 50 registered nurses who sailed from Wellington in early-1915 to serve in military hospitals in World War I. She worked in trying conditions, under canvas, in rolling ships and in crowded hospitals. Conditions ranged from icy blizzards in one of England’s coldest winters, to gruelling heat and sand storms in the North African desert. She treated patients suffering from ghastly wounds and illnesses, many of them facing inevitable death far from home.

Buckley served in Egypt, Bombay, a hospital ship in the Persian Gulf, Salonika, Mudros Harbour, Malta and England. 

Back in Christchurch, Buckley made her mark in a different way. She was an original member of the Christchurch Diocesan’s Catholic Women’s League (CWL) which was founded in 1936. She served as its second president, from 1938 to 1946. As other branches opened throughout the far-flung diocese, Buckley became Diocesan President of the CWL as well.

In her history of the Christchurch CWL’s first 50 years, Josephine Van Montfort writes of Buckley then: “leading her own army of League workers through the Second World War”, and says: “Miss Buckley was a much respected and loved foundation member of the League”.  Buckley was awarded the MBE by King George VI in 1949.

For all her strengths, Buckley would not have been out of place in the CWL. For this was a band of strong women who built a powerful and progressive movement in “a man’s world”. Sources held by the Archives of the Christchurch Diocese show the League won the highest regard of bishops, priests and lay people and worked well with them. Long before Buckley died, in 1961, the CWL was an essential element of Catholicism in the Christchurch Diocese.

All this began when 60 Christchurch women rallied to Bishop Brodie’s call to attend a meeting at the Ferry Road Convent in March, 1936. The aim of the meeting was to form an organisation for women that would make a collective effort to help the needy, while promoting social and reverential goals among the members. Membership was limited to practising Catholics.

At the inauguration, members decided on the name of Catholic Women’s Club. Its motto would be “Faith and Service”, under the divine patronage of Our Lady of Good Counsel and St Joseph, her spouse. Mina Ward, a well-known musician and church organist, was elected president. However, her marriage to an American citizen and their move back to the USA soon after meant a new leader was needed. Ann Buckley was duly elected. Bishop Brodie accepted the position of patron.

Also prominent among the “strong women” was founder-member of the CWL, Florence Dobbs. Strong in a different way, she was elected secretary of the CWL at its inception. Mrs Dobbs, widow and mother, was a tireless volunteer who gave her services to many Church and civic welfare causes. Her help for people in need foreshadowed the establishment of Catholic Social Services. In eulogies at her funeral in 1965, she was lauded for the leadership she had provided to all helpers. Her strength was based in gentle love rather than curt command.

A few months after the inauguration, the bishop moved that the name “League” replace the original “Club”. The change was made, mainly because it would allow the group to affiliate to the international CWL that had been founded in England 30 years earlier. The movement had spread around much of the world, reaching Australia in 1914. The Auckland Diocese started a CWL in 1931, fostered by Bishop Liston who, on a visit to Australia, had had been impressed by the League in action. Bishop Brodie picked up the idea from Bishop Liston.

New Zealand’s two other dioceses launched branches of the CWL, Wellington in 1944 and Dunedin in 1949. Hamilton and Palmerston North dioceses were established in 1980-81. CWL branches already operated in these areas and continued to do so.

Economic effects of the Great Depression, World War II and the period of austerity that followed the war stressed the importance of helping people in need. The Christchurch CWL adopted this as a prime ministry. Bishop Brodie, his successor, Bishop Lyons, and the League’s chaplain, Fr Edward Joyce (later to succeed Lyons as bishop), supported this focus, while ensuring the spiritual dimension remained strong. Bishop Brodie stipulated that members should promote understanding of the Catholic faith in the wider community. The League must be non-political, he added, but discuss political issues deeply and openly to help mould good legislation.

In an early step towards ecumenism the CWL held a reception for the many Christchurch women’s societies, in 1937. The aim was to familiarize the League with the general population. Invitations went out to every women’s society and nearly all sent representatives. The atmosphere was amicable and lasting relationships were forged – with individuals and groups. Notable among the groups represented were the National Council of Women and the Women’s Committee of the National Council of Churches. One outcome of the function was the CWL becoming a member organisation of these groups.

CWL opinion did not always mirror that of other groups, however. As an example, League views on the much-vexed issue of “birth control” differed from those of the Plunket Society, and others.

The Christchurch CWL grew rapidly. A junior section, known at first as The Grail, was established for young adults in 1939. It was renamed Junior CWL three years later. School groups also were active