Filipino Lutherans reunite

President James Cerdeñola at the 2012 ILC Convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

PHILIPPINES – The Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) has achieved reunification after 24 years of division in the church. Delegates from the two factions came together for a conference October 23-26 in Antipolo City, and made the historic vote to reconcile October 26.

“We have done a lot of things that are shameful and have exhausted the resources of the church,” said President James Cerdeñola of the LCP, speaking of the nearly two-and-a-half decade division. “But after all the dialogues and talking between the two groups in the LCP, we decided to come together in a unification convention.”

The convention theme was drawn from the first verse of Psalm 133: “When brothers dwell together in unity.” “Praise God, we had a very joyful and successful convention,” said President Cerdeñola. “The two are now one.”

The same convention saw President Cerdeñola reelected to another term as president. President Cerdeñola was first elected in 2004.

“I came to know President James Cerdeñola a few years ago, since we serve together on the Executive Committee of the International Lutheran Council,” remarked LCC President Robert Bugbee at hearing news of this reunification.

“He felt pain at the divisions within his church, yearned for healing, and implored me and others to pray for the Lord’s help,” President Bugbee continued. “I rejoice with him and his co-workers that these prayers have been heard.

“President Cerdeñola has a great heart for the Filipino community in other countries, including Canada,” President Bugbee noted. “I hope we can find ways to encourage each other to do good work in the countries where God has placed us.”

The Lutheran Church in the Philippines has just under 25,000 members. It is a member church of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), and currently holds the position of Asia Area Representative on the ILC’s Executive Council. The LCP grew out of mission efforts beginning in 1946 by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

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