Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria


The Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria 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 Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria is headed by a Bishop – currently the Reverend Dr :de:Michael Bünker|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.
DioceseFoundedCathedralSuperintendent
Diocese of Burgenland1924Resurrection Church Manfred Koch
Diocese of Carinthia and East Tyrol1947Church in Stadtpark Manfred Sauer
Diocese of Lower Austria1947St Pölten Parish church Lars Müller-Marienburg
Diocese of Upper Austria1783Martin Luther Church Gerold Lehner
Diocese of Salzburg and Tyrol1966Christchurch Olivier Dantine
Diocese of Styria1947Heilandskirche Wolfgang Rehner
Diocese of Vienna1783Stadtkirche Hansjörg Lein

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. Additionally, the church permits and supports blessing services for same-sex couples to celebrate their civil union.