Social Communications is the commission of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) entrusted with advancing the Church’s mission of evangelisation through various media channels. Serving as the Church’s instrument for advocacy and public relations, this commission is mandated to conduct research, recording, documenting, publishing, packaging, and distributing information pertaining to the Church and society. Social Communications takes its inspiration from the Pontifical Council for Social Communications in Rome, as outlined in the Pastoral Instruction “Communio et Progressio” dated 29 January 1971. This document emphasises the importance of providing the public with unrestricted access to information sources and channels, allowing for the free expression of views to properly shape public opinion. In essence, Social Communications provides a platform for education and formation through the dissemination of accurate and truthful information.

The primary objective of Social Communications is to evangelise through various media platforms. This involves conducting research, producing publications, and marketing Church-related products. The commission is structured into print and electronic media divisions. The print media division focuses on research, design, production, and packaging of all printed materials published by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference, including pastoral letters, the Catholic newspaper “The Catholic Church News,” books, magazines, bulletins, pamphlets, and more.

On the other hand, the electronic media division captures and disseminates church-related events in electronic formats to benefit Christians through their engagement with church media. This includes audio and visual productions facilitated by the vibrant Anesu Recording Studio. These productions aim to inspire and nurture people’s lives and faith. Additionally, the electronic media division oversees the maintenance and updating of media sites and websites for the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference and other social platforms affiliated with the commission.

Social Communications, also known as SOCCOM, operates under the leadership of a National Coordinator tasked with coordinating communications efforts at the national level. The Coordinator, working with his assistant, plays a pivotal role in animating Diocesan Communications offices across Zimbabwe’s eight Catholic dioceses.

At the diocesan level, the Social Communication Commission is overseen by Diocesan Coordinators appointed by local ordinaries. These coordinators are responsible for coordinating communication activities within their respective dioceses and developing communication strategies tailored to the local church’s needs.