Somos Um – “We Are One”
Two weeks ago, Bishop Bill Pezzutti and Deaconess Rosie attended the Somos Um International Conference in Rio De Janeiro.
Missão Somos Um is a Christian ecumenical initiative that began in Brazil in 2008, bringing together Catholics and Evangelical/Pentecostal Christians around prayer, worship, friendship, dialogue, and a shared desire for greater Christian unity.
The 2026 Semana Somos Um took place in Rio from September 14–20, 2026 ,with the theme “Somos Família de Deus” (“We Are God’s Family”), based on Ephesians 4:4.
It included a retreat, leadership formation, visits to Christian communities, and the International Somos Um Conference of Praise and Worship.
Participants included Roman Catholic, Pentecostal, Anglican, Orthodox, Baptist, and other Christian traditions, with people coming from Brazil and abroad.
Unity with Diversity
A notable feature of the conference is its emphasis on unity without requiring participants to abandon their denominational identities—building communion through relationships, prayer, worship and common Christian witness.
Earlier conferences have also involved the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and international Catholic–Pentecostal dialogue. IThere were healings! God is faithful. The conference was a clear expression of John 17 unity. It was humbling to participate. Ephesians 4:4, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;”
What is Somos Um?
Since its creation in 2008, the Somos Um Conference has developed into a week long gathering of international Christian groups featuring:
• Worship, Prayer and Teaching
• Ecumenical Dialogue between Roman Catholics and Protestant/Pentecostals
• Meetings among Christian leaders from various traditions and countries
• Sharing Testimony and Fellowship time
• Practical efforts to strengthen relationships and cooperation between Christians
Message from Bishop Bill
“It was a Holy Spirit packed week. There were healings, there was an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and many received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. One of the highlights for us was getting to pray with young married couples. There were tears!
God is faithful!
The conference was a clear expression of John 17 unity, and it was humbling to participate.
Remember, as it says in Ephesians 4:4, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called“
+Bill Pezzutti
