A new national body will draw together Catholic doctors and other health professionals with a “heart for the beauty of the Catholic faith and what it brings to the practice of medicine”, says Dr Catherine Crowley, a senior lecturer at the Notre Dame School of Medicine in Sydney.
The launch of the National Catholic Medical Association in Sydney on July 21 will establish a single voice and support for Catholic doctors, says Dr Crowley, who is also a clinical practitioner.
The launch will kick off with Mass and a Blessing of the Hands at Sacred Heart Church, Darlinghurst, followed by a dinner which is also open to non-medical healthcare professionals.
Dr Luke McLindon of Mater Mothers’ Hospital Brisbane will share his reflections on being called to serve life through medicine, while Melbourne specialist anaesthetist Dr Eamonn Matheison will discuss the recent congress of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations in Croatia.
All are welcome to the Mass and blessing ceremony which starts at 3pm on Saturday 21 July. Tickets for the dinner cost $75 or $40 for students.
Australia’s Catholic bishops approved the establishment of the doctor-led national body late last year.
Bishop Robert McGuckin, Chair of the Bishop’s Commission for Canon Law, said it will assist Catholic doctors, “so they may more easily confer on issues which touch the whole of Australia”.
Next months’ event is also the annual memorial Mass and dinner of the NSW Catholic Medical Association.
For more details on the launch event see the website facma.org.au or the Facebook page.