The Northwest Ohio Guild of the Catholic Medical Association was chartered on Jan. 28 with the intent to support medical professionals and those in training for the medical profession throughout the Diocese of Toledo.

The guild may also be a resource for clergy and community regarding medical ethical and moral issues.

Intended activities include social gatherings, discussions and lectures on medical moral issues, events to support medical students and an annual White Mass for all who work in the health care field.

The introductory event of the Northwest Ohio Guild is a White Mass to be celebrated by Bishop Leonard P. Blair at 11 a.m. Oct. 19, at Toledo Rosary Cathedral. Traditionally celebrated on or near the Feast of St. Luke, the White Mass (called white because of the white coats worn by health care workers) is for all health care professionals and those working in health care settings. A light reception will follow.

The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) is the nation’s largest professional organization of Catholic physicians. Organized as a national organization since 1932, the profound changes in society and medicine over the last 40 years have made the CMA more necessary than ever.

The mission of the CMA is to provide support and resources for physicians to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, to allow His grace to transform their personal lives and professional practices, and to better serve the church and the community.

CMA physicians pledge to continually improve their clinical skills, to respect their patients as persons, to defend and protect human life from conception to its natural end, and to donate part of their time for free and charitable care of the poor.

Physicians and dentists may become members of the Northwest Ohio Guild by joining the CMA nationally at www.cathmed.org. There are no additional dues to join the local guild. Associate membership is open to clergy, nurses and allied health professionals, also by joining nationally.

The national headquarters of the CMA is in Philadelphia. Projects undertaken by the CMA include task force reports and position papers and an annual educational conference each fall.

This year’s conference is in Baltimore, Oct. 9-11 with the theme “The Theology of the Body: Modern Challenges to Health, Conscience and Human Dignity.”

The CMA collaborates with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and allied organizations to address ethical, legal and policy issues. One recent project of the CMA is “To Protect and To Prevent,” a task force report which analyzes sexual abuse prevention programs for children mandated in 2002 by the U.S. bishops.

On an international level, the Catholic Medical Association (USA) is a leading member of the Worldwide Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC), headquartered in the Vatican. Members of FIAMC serve in advisory capacity to the pope and his delegates.

For more information on the Catholic Medical Association, visit CMA’s Web site at www.cathmed.org. To contact local members or learn of local activities of the Northwest Ohio Guild of the CMA e-mail Dr. Timothy Anders at pogoana@aol.com or Dr. Jeanne Weisenburger at rweisenb@verizon.net.