Roger D. White raises a good question about the Concordat of Agreement and apostolic succession [TLC, Feb. 16]. As an Anglo-Catholic, I share with him an uneasiness about "temporarily" suspending the preface to the ordinal.

Perhaps, however, we Anglicans are being called to an Abraham-like faith to leave behind the familiar and venture forth. Lutherans believe that they have preserved apostolic succession through their confessional writings. That is to say, they acknowledge the content, if not the outward and visible sign (the mitred bishop with crozier in hand). Practical experience has shown us that neither "tactile" succession nor elaborate gesture is a guarantee of orthodoxy in our own communion.

If the Concordat passes, our bishops will be consecrated validly by other Anglican bishops, as they always have been. Our priests and deacons likewise. All that is required is that we recognize that God has given the same "credentials" to Lutheran pastors, and even this is an interim step. Future Lutheran presbyters and bishops will be ordained with Anglicans participating, so that within a season, our ministers will, in fact, have the same orders.

The Lutherans I have known are faithful, scholarly, orthodox and committed to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith. It seems to me that we have much to gain by this proposal.

(The Very Rev.) Dow Sanderson Ecumenical Officer Diocese of South Carolina Charleston, S.C.