Edmonton — Abusers in close relationships seek to be the only source of information, support and contact with society for the people they abuse, says a parish liaison worker with Catholic Social Services.

Abuse and isolation are tactics abusers use to gain power and control, Claire Rolheiser told the archdiocesan Catholic Women's League convention April 8.

The number one demand churches are making from campaigning federal politicians is a concrete plan to reduce and end poverty in Canada.

The Canadian Council of Churches reiterated the ecumenical priority in a letter to all the national party leaders March 31.

TORONTO — In the face of cultural pressure to accept abortion, contraception and euthanasia, Catholic doctors can respond by affirming the inherent human dignity of the person.

They can also appeal to human reason in explaining the "culture of life," Catholic experts said at the third annual conference of the Canadian Federation of Catholic Physicians' Societies.

MILWAUKEE — Much more remains to be done to "turn around the culture of an institution" that allowed thousands of children to be abused by priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin, says Archbishop Diarmuid Martin.

"I can honestly say that with perhaps two exceptions, I have not encountered a real and unconditional admission of guilt and responsibility on the part of priest offenders in my diocese," Martin told an international conference on the clergy sex abuse scandal April 4.

EDMONTON — Four women from St. Thomas d'Aquin Parish are providing warmth for some of the city's disadvantaged people.

Jeannine Amyotte, Pauline Piché, Marie Parent and Cécile Pahud get together regularly making comforters. They do not do it for themselves, but to donate to the less fortunate.

LONDON, ONT. — When the Diocese of London says its doors are always open, they're not kidding. At least that was the case on April 6 when more than 120 parishes across southwestern Ontario took part in the diocese's Confession Campaign.

"It's an invitation to people that the doors are open for them to come back to the sacrament of Confession," London Bishop Ronald Fabbro told The Catholic Register.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict called St. Thérèse of Lisieux's autobiography, The Story of a Soul, a wonderful authentic "treasure" and invited everyone to read it.

The 19th-century Carmelite saint's teaching of "the 'little way" of holiness has been so influential in our time," he said April 6 at his weekly general audience.

SASKATOON — When Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet at the Last Supper, he meant it as a sign for them to do likewise, says Oblate Father Paul Fachet.

As with the celebration of the Eucharist, Christ calls us "to do this in memory of me," said Fachet, a former long-time professor at Edmonton's Newman Theological College.

NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. — Bishop Gerard Bergie urged a select group of Ontario high school students to take up the mantle of leadership and make Catholic education even better for future generations.

"We have an opportunity to take something that is good and make it even better so that we can create better leaders, because we can never rest on our laurels," said the St. Catharines, Ont., bishop.

OTTAWA — Social conservative leaders have expressed disappointment Prime Minister Stephen Harper refuses to reopen debates on abortion or marriage even if the Conservatives win a majority in the May 2 election.

But one prominent social conservative says taking these issues off the public agenda is a sign of a bigger problem: No serious issues — such as health care reform, immigration or serious nation security problems - get discussed in a responsible way in elections either.