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TheSilesian Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession (SECAC) (Czech:Slezská církev evangelická augsburského vyznání (SCEAV),Polish:Śląski Kościół Ewangelicki Wyznania Augsburskiego) is the biggestLutheran Church in theCzech Republic besides theEvangelical Church of Czech Bretheren which is united Lutheran and Reformed. Its congregations are located mainly in the Czech part ofCieszyn Silesia. A significant number of the followers belong to thePolish ethnic minority. There is a strong heritage ofpietism andevangelicalism in the church. In 2009, it reported 15,632baptized members.[1]
The church in its present form was established afterWorld War I, but its origins can be traced to the 16th century. Lutheranism started to spread over Cieszyn Silesia duringLuther’s lifetime. From 1610 it was subject to counter-reformation. In 1709 achurch in Cieszyn was given to the Lutherans byEmperor Joseph I and this church became a significant centre ofpietism and played an important role in the establishment of theMoravian Church. The revivalist movement was also strongly present in Cieszyn Silesia at the beginning of the 20th century, culminating in 1905.[clarification needed] The spiritual leader of the church during its persecution under theCommunist regime in Czechoslovakia was pastorWładysław Santarius.
SECAC is a member of theWorld Council of Churches, theConference of European Churches, and theLutheran World Federation. In 2006 SECAC established a formal partnership with theSoutheastern Pennsylvania Synod; this partnership was terminated in 2009 due to changes in the moral policy of theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. SECAC cooperates with theAssociation of Free Lutheran Congregations and theLutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
The current bishop isTomáš Tyrlík.
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