Reformed Church in Austria

The Reformed Church in Austria (Evangelical Church of the Helvetic Confession) is a Christian denomination in Austria. The origin of the church can traced to the Deed of tolerance in 1781 and in 1861. In the 16th century, two thirds of the Austrian population was Evangelical. The Counter-Reformation changed this, and evangelical worship was not permitted or restricted until the toleration act. Some Protestants were able to survive this decades in the valleys of the mountains of Carinthia and Upper Austria. In 1861 full freedom of Protestant worship and public practice were granted.[1]

The Reformed church traces its theological roots to Calvin and Zwingli. The church's name in German is Evangelische Kirche H.B.- Heidelberger Bekenntnis means Heidelberg Catechism.[2]

The church has 9 congregations and 13,590 members.[3] The church affirms the Heidelberg Catechism, Second Helvetic Confession, the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed.[4] Ordination of women and blessing of same-sex marriages are allowed.

Member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.[5]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/evangelical-church-of-the-helvetic-confession
  2. ↑ http://www.reformiertekirche.at/geschichte.html
  3. ↑ http://www.evang.at/kirche/zahlen-fakten |accessdate=18 April 2014
  4. ↑ http://www.reformiert-online.net/adressen/detail.php?id=1252&lg=eng
  5. ↑ http://www.wcrc.ch/node/164
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