This from the International Lutheran Council online.

MADAGASCAR – On May 25, 2018, the Malagasy Lutheran Church (Fiangonana Loterana
Malagas – FLM) voted to “more fully realize our unity as Lutheran Christians”
between itself and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), with hopes that a
closer relationship between the two churches will lead to the recognition of altar
and pulpit fellowship in the future. The decision came during a gathering of the
Committee of Highest Synod Leaders (KMSL), the highest decision making body in the
Malagasy church, as they met in Antananarivo.

“We give thanks to our Lord who leads His church. I am very pleased to announce that
FLM has decided to seek fellowship with the LCMS,” said FLM’s President, Bishop
David Rakotonirina. “This is the first step to open the door by working together in
the areas of development. We pray for the next steps. We desire to keep FLM a
confessional Lutheran church. Praise the Lord.”

 

LCMS President Matthew Harrison greeted news of the vote with joy, calling it “one
of the most significant days in the history of The LCMS and world confessional
Lutheranism.”

“We are deeply humbled and deeply thankful,” he continued. “This is the result of
growing love and partnership, recognizing a unity of confession of Christ, the
gospel, and the truth of the inerrant scriptures, and of the Lutheran confessions,”
President Harrison continued. “We have grown together through LCMS World Relief and
Human Care medical mercy work, aids projects, graduate education for Malagasy
leaders at our Fort Wayne seminary, the work of our Africa region missionaries, of
our church relations division, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and
more. The Malagasy have taught us much about zeal for outreach, and care for the
most needy. And we have much more to learn. Thanks be to God.”

The Malagasy Lutheran Church was founded in 1867 by Norwegian missionaries and is
currently celebrating its 150th anniversary. Today, FLM is one of the largest
Lutheran churches in the world, with approximately 4 million members in 8,500
congregations. It counts 1,500 pastors, and has more than 1,000 schools for
Christian education. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has 2 million members, and
is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of
confessional Lutheran churches.

Rev. Dr. Albert Collver, LCMS Director of Church Relations and Executive Secretary
for the ILC, brought greetings to the KMSL on behalf of the Missouri Synod. In
remarks to the assembly, he encouraged them to maintain their faithful witness in
the Gospel. “Our churches are sisters, in the same family, but separated while we
were both young but now we have found each other as we celebrate important
jubilees,” he noted. “We are confessional Lutherans who are faithful to the Bible
with a strong Lutheran identity. The Missouri Synod and our partner churches around
the world are eager to walk with the Malagasy Lutheran Church. We hope to come
closer to you and partner together to bear witness to Jesus Christ throughout the
world.”
Today, FLM is one of the largest
Lutheran churches in the world, with approximately 4 million members in 8,500
congregations. It counts 1,500 pastors, and has more than 1,000 schools for
Christian education. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has 2 million members, and
is a member of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of
confessional Lutheran churches.