Same-sex wedding (Image: Getty Images)

The Church in Wales’ governing body has approved a bill making blessings of same-sex marriages permanent, while allowing individual clergy to opt out of offering the service.

The bill was passed on 16 April by the church’s 143-member governing body, with the motion requiring a two-thirds majority in each of the three Orders: bishops, clergy and lay members, reports BBC News. Lay members voted 48 to eight in favour with two abstentions, and clergy voted 32 to seven with five abstentions. Bishops then confirmed the bill’s passing with no objections.

The wording is now set to be added to the Book of Common Prayer used by the Church in Wales.

During the debate, Bishop of St Asaph Gregory Cameron spoke about “the damage that rejection of our LGBT brothers and sisters in Christ does”. He added: “Please can we not be a church that inflicts such pain, and that I believe is the fundamental choice at the base of this bill.”

Bishop of Llandaff Mary Stallard also backed the change, saying someone close to her had “been in a dark place because of attitudes towards their sexuality”, where a “culture of shame [within the Church] told them it was not OK to be gay”. Stallard said “the Church in Wales did something good and beautiful” when it introduced the blessing service.

How the vote got here

The Church in Wales first introduced the blessing service as a temporary measure in 2021, allowing same-sex couples to have their marriage or civil partnership blessed in a church ceremony. That trial period was due to expire by the end of 2026.

Ahead of the vote, the Church in Wales said the proposed permanent change “follows a period of reflection and listening across the Church”.

What it means for same-sex blessings

The move is understood to underline a divergence between the Church in Wales and the Church of England, which does not have a blessing of the same standing.

Some speakers opposed the bill. Deacon Andy Grimwood said: “My fear is today doesn’t bring unity, but it brings division.” He added: “Within the Church in Wales, within the Anglican community, and I see friends and colleagues leave the church they love.”

The Church in Wales is the Anglican church in Wales and has been disestablished from the state since 1920. It is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, where approaches to LGBTQ+ inclusion vary sharply between provinces.

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