Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Austria
# 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.

## Structure

The Evangelical 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.

| Diocese | Founded | Cathedral | Superintendent |
| - | - | - | - |
| Diocese of Burgenland | 1924 | Resurrection Church (Eisenstadt) | Robert Jonischkeit (2021– ) |
| 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 | Lutheran City Church (Vienna) | Matthias Geist (2018– ) |

## 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.

