Church in Wales Governing Body votes to make permanent provision for same-sex blessings

The Church in Wales Governing Body has voted to make permanent the provision for blessings of couples in same-sex Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships.

Five years ago, the Church concluded it was “pastorally unsustainable” to offer no formal provision for committed same-sex relationships and introduced a five‑year experimental blessing service ending this September. Meeting in Llandudno, the Governing Body has now agreed to incorporate a permanent rite of blessing for same-sex marriages and partnerships into the Book of Common Prayer.

The measure passed with the required two‑thirds majority in all three Orders: all five Bishops in favour; clergy 32–7 (5 abstentions); laity 48–8 (2 abstentions).

The Church still does not conduct same-sex marriages. However, in November 2025 the Bishops reported that listening exercises showed a majority “in favour of the view that the time is right to offer equal marriage.” Proposals to change Church and state law will be brought forward in April 2027.

Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, said: “I want to thank everyone for the ways in which this debate was conducted – calmly, and with mutual respect. The Bench of Bishops and I recognise that this is an issue about which people hold strong convictions. We want everybody to be able to hold their views with integrity whilst not losing sight of the image of God that resides in all of us. We want to build a church that can make space for each other whatever our different perspectives.”

You can read the proposed liturgy and the amendments here.

The vote took place on the second day of the Governing Body meeting at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The livestream is available here: