Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria (Evangelische Kirche Augsburgischen Bekenntnisses in Österreich) is a Lutheran denomination in Austria. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, which it joined in 1947. It is also a member of the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches and the Community of Protestant Churches in Europe as well as the Conference of Churches on the Rhine.

Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
Evangelische Kirche Augsburgischen Bekenntnisses in Österreich
The Lutheran Church in Vienna
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationLutheran
PolityEpiscopal
BishopMichael Bünker
AssociationsLutheran World Federation,
World Council of Churches,
Conference of European Churches,
Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
RegionAustria
HeadquartersVienna, Austria
Origin16th Century
Separated fromRoman Catholic Church
Congregations196
Members271,296 (3.0%) (2019)[1]
Official websitehttps://evang.at/

Structure

The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria is headed by a Bishop – currently the Reverend Dr Michael Bünker. The church consists of seven dioceses, each headed by a Superintendent. These superintendencies are broadly aligned territorially with the federal states of the Republic of Austria.

Diocese Founded Cathedral Superintendent
Diocese of Burgenland 1924 Resurrection Church (Eisenstadt) Manfred Koch (2002– )
Diocese of Carinthia and East Tyrol 1947 Church in Stadtpark (Villach) Manfred Sauer (2002– )
Diocese of Lower Austria 1947 St Pölten Parish church (Sankt Pölten) Lars Müller-Marienburg (2016– )
Diocese of Upper Austria 1783 Martin Luther Church (Linz) Gerold Lehner (2005– )
Diocese of Salzburg and Tyrol 1966 Christchurch (Innsbruck) Olivier Dantine (2012– )
Diocese of Styria 1947 Heilandskirche (Graz) Wolfgang Rehner (2018– )
Diocese of Vienna 1783 Stadtkirche (Vienna) Hansjörg Lein (2004– )

Social issues

Since 2009, the Evangelical Church in Austria has been an advocate of gay rights and endorsed the introduction of civil partnerships for same-sex couples.[2] Additionally, the church permits and supports blessing services for same-sex couples to celebrate their civil union.[3]

References
  1. LWF Statistics - Austria The Lutheran World Federation
  2. "Resolution betreffend gleichgeschlechtlicher Partnerschaften" (PDF). evang.at. Evangelical Church in Austria. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  3. "Segnung von homosexuellen Paaren" (PDF). evang.at. Evangelical Church in Austria. Retrieved April 17, 2016.


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