Cyberbullying victims getting younger
Younger children are increasingly experiencing negative online behaviour, according to the eSafety Commissioner.
Reports to the cyberbullying complaints team about serious cyberbullying of children between the ages of eight and 13 years have more than tripled since 2019.
Cyberbullying encompasses a range of harmful behaviours, such as sending abusive messages, hurtful images or videos, spreading malicious gossip, excluding or humiliating others, and creating fake accounts to deceive or embarrass someone.
‘Disturbingly, the types of cyberbullying we are seeing from younger children have become increasingly sophisticated and harmful', eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
She urged parents and caregivers to consider the following advice as kids head back to school in Term 3:
1. Show interest and be engaged;
2. monitor online activity;
3. promote device usage in open areas; and
4. activate age-appropriate parental controls and privacy settings.
Read more.
Catholic educators recognised in NATSICC Service Awards
Catholic educators, Vincent McKenzie and Katrina Cambridge have been named as recipients of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Service to Community Awards.
The awards, announced as part of NATSICC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday celebrations, acknowledge Vincent and Katrina’s outstanding achievements in educating and building relationships across their communities.
Vincent, a teacher at the Christ the King Catholic School, (Djarindjin Lombadina) Broome is a custodian of Bardi language and culture and has been instrumental in ensuring the vitality and preservation of his cultural heritage.
Katrina is the Canberra & Goulburn representative for the National Catholic Education Commission’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Network and an active member of the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn’s Aboriginal Catholic Ministry (ACM). Read more.
Vincent McKenzie was one of the panellists on the AC+ Q&A session on ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion in RE and faith formation', available to subscribers on the Australian Catholics website. There is also a free excerpt of the discussion here.
Oceania’s diversity on display at Synod of Bishops
The 10 non-bishop members from the region chosen for the upcoming Synod of Bishops will help amplify the voice of the Catholic population, according to the president of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania.
‘Our region is one of the most diverse in the world, when you consider the 20 or so nations in this corner of the globe. That diversity enriches the Church in Oceania and it will do so at the Synod gatherings in Rome,’ said Bishop Anthony Randazzo, who was elected FCBCO president in February.
The 10 Oceania non-bishop members appointed by Pope Francis are: Mr Manuel Beazley, New Zealand; Dr Trudy Dantis, Australia; Mr John Lochowiak, Australia; Fr Denis Nacorda, New Zealand; Mrs Kelly Paget, Australia; Sr Mary Angela Perez RSM, Pacific; Fr Sijeesh Pullenkunnel, Syro-Malabar Eparchy; Dr Susan Sela, Pacific; Ms Grace Wrakia, Papua New Guinea/Solomon Islands; and Professor Renee Kohler-Ryan, Australia.
Support the victim/survivors of modern slavery
Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans (ACRATH) needs to raise $350,000 by 30 July, the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
This year’s campaign highlights ACRATH’s need for sustainable funding to continue programs and support victims and survivors of human trafficking. ACRATH has been working for 18 years as an advocate, educator and direct responder, working against human trafficking with support from schools, philanthropists, the community and religious congregations. Find out more.
Chairman of the board
A board game based on the life of St Ignatius of Loyola is set to be released. Notable for its high production quality and memorable artwork, it is the brainchild of a Melbourne-based Polish Jesuit, Fr Mariusz Han SJ.
Fr Han decided to create a board game called ‘Ignatius Loyola: Knight and Pilgrim’ In the early days of COVID lockdowns. The double-sided board game is based on the life of the founder of the Jesuit order.
It will be available in Polish and English. Read more.
WHAT’S ON
Art activity – National Child Protection Week 2023: NAPCAN is looking for artworks to show what children and young people think about their relationships with family, friends and community.
These will then be used in a campaign (leading up to Child Protection Week in September) to help show that protecting children is about all of us working together. Find out more here.
Women’s Study and Mentoring Program: The Sisters of the Good Samaritan invite applications for their women’s Study and Mentoring (SAM) Program in 2024. The program offers financial assistance for tertiary studies at a recognised theological institution and opportunities for spiritual direction and mentoring. Applications close on 6 September 2023. Further information.
The Good Oil 2023 Writers’ Award, an initiative of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan: Entry is free and open to both emerging and published writers. Entries close at 5pm AEST on Friday, 18 August 2023. Find out more.
Quo Vadis Weekend: An opportunity for young men to learn more about the priesthood in an environment that will equip and inspire a better understanding of their personal calling. Men who are single and open to priesthood aged 18-35 are invited. Interested delegates from other dioceses also welcome. ?When: 5pm Friday, 4-Sunday, 6 August
Location: Holy Spirit Seminary (487 Earnshaw Road, Banyo)?RSVP: 19 July 2023 by emailing your expression of interest to [email protected].