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Equipping Evangelizers in the Digital Age: Bridging Competency Gaps of Parish Social Communicators in the Diocese of Malolos 53

Equipping Evangelizers in the Digital Age:
Bridging Competency Gaps of Parish Social Communicators in the Diocese of Malolos

Religion and Social Communication Vol. 24, No. 1 (2026)
ISSN 3057-0883 (Online)

Author

Roderick Evans Bartolome
Department of Communication, Far Eastern University, Philippines
Email: rbartolome@feu.edu.ph
ORCID: 0000-0002-4312-9416

Abstract

Drawing on Franz‐Josef Eilers’ seven‐competency framework, this explanatory sequential logic study adopted a quantitative-dominant mixed-methods design to identify formation gaps among 734 parish social‐communication volunteers in the Diocese of Malolos, Bulacan, Philippines. Survey data indicate strong ethical and professional confidence, but lower self-ratings in theological literacy and back-end digital analytics. Three focus‐group discussions (n=32) explain these patterns, unveiling (1) a “craft–content–connection” synergy model, (2) a front‐end/back‐end skills divide, (3) an anxiety‐driven strategy of comment‐thread closure during online controversy, and (4) volunteers’ perception of training as both pastoral empowerment and career capital. Synthesizing quantitative and qualitative strands, the article proposes an integrated “SOCCOM Academy” that braids theology, analytics, crisis drills, and creative labs. The findings extend Eilers’ competence paradigm and supply empirical grounding for an Asian diocesan pastoral‐communication plan.

Keywords

Catholic social communication; training‐needs assessment; Eilers competency framework; Diocese of Malolos; parish media ministry

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Pages: 54–82

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62461/REB051026

Submitted, Accepted & Published Dates

Submitted: July 31, 2025
Accepted: October 15, 2025
Published: January 1, 2026

Cite this article

Bartolome, Roderick Evans. “Equipping Evangelizers in the Digital Age: Bridging Competency Gaps of Parish Social Communicators in the Diocese of Malolos.” Religion and Social Communication 24, no. 1 (2026): 54–82. https://doi.org/10.62461/REB051026.

Equipping Evangelizers in the Digital Age: Bridging Competency Gaps of Parish Social Communicators in the Diocese of Malolos

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