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. According to the World Council of Churches, the denomination has 325,905 members.[1]
Social Issues
Since 2009, the Evangelical Church in Austria has been an advocate for 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
- ↑ "Evangelical Church of the Augsburg and Helvetic Confessions in Austria". oikoumene.org. World Council of Churches. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ↑ "Resolution betreffend gleichgeschlechtlicher Partnerschaften" (PDF). evang.at. Evangelical Church in Austria. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
- ↑ "Segnung von homosexuellen Paaren" (PDF). evang.at. Evangelical Church in Austria. Retrieved April 17, 2016.