Church in Wales votes to bless same-sex marriages and civil partnerships
The services are for a blessing only, rather than the ceremonies themselves
Last updated 6th Sep 2021
Same-sex couples will soon be able to have their marriages or civil partnerships blessed in Church in Wales churches, after new legislation was passed by the organisation's governing body.
At a meeting this afternoon (6th September), a proposal was approved to use the service experimentally for five years.
It is for a blessing only, rather than the ceremonies themselves.
Individual churches and clergy will also be able to decide whether or not to carry out the services.
The bill was introduced by the Bishops, who described it as a “step on the way towards repentance of a history in the Church which has demonised and persecuted gay and lesbian people."
Speaking in his keynote address before votes were cast, Bishop Andy John, the Senior Bishop of the Church in Wales, acknowledged that some would regard the change as a departure from the word of God.
"But every development is to some degree a departure; something changes whenever there is a new expression of practice," he told those at the meeting.
"And even when such a change appears consonant with a stated position, it is nevertheless a change.
"When the church changed its position on forbidding meat with blood in it, or saw that slavery in all and any form was wicked, there was change.
"The 'authority of the eternal yesterday' must not be a millstone around our necks but provide a basis for a courageous embrace of what God is doing in the world around us. Mission always lies at the heart of faith.
"And being alive to God, to what might happen next, is part of remaining curious and open to new opportunity."
The bishops passed the bill unanimously, the clergy passed it by 28 to 12 with two abstentions, while the laity passed it by 49 to 10, with one abstention.
It follows previous claims from the Governing Body that it would be "pastorally unsustainable" for the Church to make no formal provision for LGBT+ couples.
Other churches allow same-sex marriages, including Methodists, the United Reformed Church and Quakers.
The Church of England does not permit same-sex marriages, and the Church of Scotland is currently processing draft legislation which could allow the ceremonies.