Two young, lay synod delegates on what it’s (really) like in the synod hall

Julia Oseka (OSV News photo/courtesy St. Joseph's University) and José Manuel De Urquidi (OSV News photo/cortesía de Juan Diego Network) Comoposite: America Media

Among the youngest people in a room of mostly bishops, Julia Oseka and José Manuel De Urquidi were in the first group of lay voting members at a synod, as delegates to the Synod on Synodality held at the Vatican last year. In an episode of “Inside the Vatican” recorded last month, José and Julia join host Colleen Dulle for an interview about their experience at the synod: a month of deep listening, dialogue, and disagreement handled with respect—even on sensitive topics like LGBT issues and women’s ordination—and what they expect from this year’s gathering.

If Links for further reading

• I listened to Synod delegates opposed to LGBTQ issues. Here are my responses.

• Women deacons, LGBT issues not on the agenda for October’s synod meeting

• Vatican II—and its media coverage—has a lesson for today’s synod: Don’t expect immediate results

• Five things to watch for in the upcoming October synod