By Catholic Philly Staff Report • Posted July 11, 2023

Julia Osęka, an international student from Poland attending Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, has been appointed to serve as a delegate at the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops to be held this October in Rome.

The announcement from the archdiocese came June 10 following the June 7 publication of the list by the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.

Osęka is one of 10 non-bishop voting delegates chosen to represent the North American region, which consists of the United States of America and Canada.

She has been active in the Synod through her participation in Synodality in Catholic Higher Education in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (SCHEAP). She was also a delegate from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the Continental Assemblies.

Archbishop Pérez said he was “filled with great joy” that Osęka​ was selected as a representative.

“The Church of Philadelphia is blessed to count one of its faithful among those from around the world who will gather at the Vatican … May the Holy Spirit inspire her, and all of us, as we seek to live as Missionary Disciples for Christ who walk the path of faith and life together,” said Archbishop Pérez.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced that participation in the Synod in October would be expanded to include lay people from each of the regional groupings of episcopal conferences. The voting delegates would include women as well as young adults.

To read the official summary of the Diocesan Phase of the Synod on Synodality, visit archphila.org/synodality-summary/