Philippines: Malolos Diocese releases Social Communications manual on World Communications Sunday

The Diocesan Commission on Social Communications of the Diocese of Malolos in the Philippines marked the 57th World Communications Sunday by releasing an official organizational manual to guide the proper management of the Social Communications Commission from the diocesan to the parish level.

Composed of relevant rules, regulations, guidelines, and an appendix for important Social Communications documents, the manual was released through the approval of Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo “to form a systematic structure for its volunteers and staff.”

Father Joseph Franz Dizon, Chairman of the Diocesan Commission on Social Communications, led the creation of this manual. In his reflection for this year’s World Communications Sunday, Fr. Dizon encourages Social Communication (SOCCOM) ministers to be inspired by Pope Francis’ message of speaking from the heart.

“If our communication leads to the destruction of humanity and our connection with one another, we betray the Lord who first communicated with us to proclaim His love and the one who has bestowed upon us the ability to communicate for us to be united as His children,” said Fr. Dizon in his message posted in the Diocese of Malolos’ official website.

The release of this Social Communications manual that aims to bring together ministers across the diocese is in line with the pontiff’s call “to listen and hear one another.”

“’ It is the most precious and life-giving gift we can offer each other.’ Listening without prejudice, attentively and openly, gives rise to speak according to God’s style, nurtured by closeness, compassion, and tenderness. We have a pressing need in the Church for communication that kindles hearts, that is balm on wounds, and that shines a light on the journey of our brothers and sisters,” Pope Francis said in his message for this year’s World Communications Day.

Alongside the manual, the Diocese of Malolos also released a general report of its accomplishments in 2022.

Since last year, the SOCCOM Commission of the diocese began to spearhead quarterly seminars, workshops, and spiritual gatherings to help SOCCOM ministers deepen their understanding of their role as new evangelizers of modern times.

The diocese currently has four regular quarterly activities: FOCUS (for spiritual growth), DEEPEN (to reflect on the theme of the annual World Communications Sunday), SHARPEN (for the training of media skills), and PROCLAIM (to recognize people and institutions for their contribution to the commission throughout the year.)

Through these events, the Diocese of Malolos actively participates in realizing the dream of the pope of “an ecclesial communication that knows how to let itself be guided by the Holy Spirit, gentle and at the same time, prophetic, that knows how to find new ways and means for the wonderful proclamation it is called to deliver in the third millennium.”

As of the last survey, the Diocese of Malolos has 1,270 Social Communications ministers, covering the entire Province of Bulacan and the City of Valenzuela.- Luke Godoy