The Church in Wales has voted to make permanent provision for church blessings for couples in same-sex civil marriages and civil partnerships.

The church’s Governing Body held a meeting in Llandudno on Wednesday and Thursday and members backed a motion to permanently incorporate a rite for the blessing of same-sex marriages and partnerships into the Book of Common Prayer. 

The measure secured the required two-thirds majority across all three voting groups: bishops, clergy and worshippers and members not part of the clergy referred to laity.

All five bishops voted in favour, while clergy supported it by 32 votes to seven, with five abstentions. 

Laity members approved it by 48 votes to eight, with two abstentions. 

Under the new law, the liturgy will formally become part of the Church’s Book of Common Prayer from 1 July 2026, replacing the temporary experimental arrangement first introduced in 2021.

The legislation authorises an official “Order of Service of Blessing” for same-sex couples who have already entered a civil marriage or civil partnership, while also making clear that no cleric will be compelled to officiate at such services.

Speaking after the vote, Cherry Vann, Archbishop of Wales, thanked members for the tone of the debate.

“I want to thank everyone for the ways in which this debate was conducted – calmly, and with mutual respect,” Ms Vann said.

“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,” he said.

The decision follows a five-year trial period approved in 2021, when the church concluded it was “pastorally unsustainable” to make no formal provision for members in committed same-sex relationships.

That temporary arrangement was due to expire later this year.