Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria explained

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Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
Native Name:Evangelische Kirche Augsburgischen Bekenntnisses in Österreich
Native Name Lang:de
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Main Classification:Protestant
Orientation:Lutheran
Polity:presbyteral-synodal[1]
Leader Title:Bishop
Leader Name:Michael Chalupka
Associations:Lutheran World Federation,
World Council of Churches,
Conference of European Churches,
Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
Area:Austria
Headquarters:Vienna, Austria
Founded Date:16th century
Separated From:Catholic Church
Congregations:191 [2]
Members:244,583 (2023)
Website:https://evang.at/

The Protestant 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.

Structure

The Protestant Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria is headed by a bishop – currently Michael Chalupka. 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.

DioceseFoundedCathedralSuperintendent
Diocese of Burgenland 1924Resurrection Church (Eisenstadt)Robert Jonischkeit (2021–)
Diocese of Carinthia and East Tyrol1947Church in Stadtpark (Villach)Manfred Sauer (2002–)
Diocese of Lower Austria1947St Pölten Parish church (Sankt Pölten)Lars Müller-Marienburg (2016–)
Diocese of Upper Austria1783Martin Luther Church (Linz)Gerold Lehner (2005–)
Diocese of Salzburg and Tyrol1966Christchurch (Innsbruck)Olivier Dantine (2012–)
Diocese of Styria1947Heilandskirche (Graz)Wolfgang Rehner (2018–)
Diocese of Vienna1783Lutheran City Church (Vienna)Matthias Geist (2018–)

Social issues

Since 2009, the Protestant Church in Austria has been an advocate of gay rights and endorsed the introduction of civil partnerships for same-sex couples.[3] Additionally, the church permits and supports blessing services for same-sex couples to celebrate their civil union.[4]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Protestants in Austria. evang.at. Protestant Church in Austria. November 19, 2021.
  2. Web site: Facts & Figures. evang.at. Protestant Church in Austria. June 17, 2024.
  3. Web site: Resolution betreffend gleichgeschlechtlicher Partnerschaften. evang.at. Evangelical Church in Austria. April 17, 2016.
  4. Web site: Segnung von homosexuellen Paaren. evang.at. Evangelical Church in Austria. April 17, 2016.