Response from Pastor (Bishop) Benjamin Lasegan, President of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines

4th December 2002

Dear Pastor Menacher,

Thank you for giving me a copy of your Reformation issue of the CCM Verax International Newsletter. I wish to inform you that I share the sentiment of the TAMIL Lutherans in India and the many Lutherans around the world who are against the "CCM Grand Deception". I personally believe that Lutherans can be very ecumenical without compromising and losing our historical and theological heritage from our great Lutheran reformers.

To me, these are the only remaining Lutheran uniqueness that we can contribute in our ecumenical relations and in our inter-faith dialogues. I am very much amazed how some Lutherans in the ELCA are easily converted to historical Episcopalianism by compromising their theological Lutheranism.

Thank you once again for giving me this opportunity to share my personal belief and conviction on the issue raised.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Benjamin Lasegan