From 1977 to 1980, Ballin was located first in Kaslik, in Lebanon, and then Pontificio Instituto Orientale, in Rome, for his Licentiate in Oriental liturgy.

In 2000, he was appointed Director of the Dar Comboni Center of Arab and Islamic Studies in Cairo, Egypt.

On July 14, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Ballin as the Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait.

He was undergoing treatment in Rome at the Gemelli Polyclinic since the last two months following diagnosis with lung cancer.

During this period, the bishops of the Latin Conference of the Arab Regions (CELRA) were able to visit him and spend a few moments with him as they convened in Rome from 17–20 February 2020 for their 70th Plenary assembly.