Aleksander Erniša, 45, has officially taken over as bishop of the Slovenian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the country’s second-largest Christian denomination. Installed during a ceremony in Puconci, the heart of Slovenia’s Protestant community, Erniša called for an open, compassionate and people-oriented church. The son of the church’s first bishop, he succeeds Leon Novak and begins a six-year mandate.
Erniša says his priorities include strengthening internal unity, deepening cooperation with other Christian communities, and addressing key social issues — among them the blessing of same-sex couples, which many Lutheran churches in Europe have already debated.
He emphasized that the church must stand by every individual, regardless of background or identity, and remain engaged in wider society through dialogue and charitable work.
Based in Ljubljana, Erniša plans to use modern communication channels and expand community outreach to counter declining membership. Drawing on his experience as a police and military pastor, he says his mission is rooted in respect, acceptance and listening: values he believes are essential for building a more inclusive and forward-looking church.
