The Church of England has approved the proposals to offer blessings to same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriage.
The approval was made at a meeting of the General Synod, the church’s governing body on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
Approval of the motion allows same-sex couples, after a legal marriage ceremony, to go to Anglican churches for services, including prayers of dedication, thanksgiving, and God’s blessing.
Priests will have the option to bless gay couples but can opt-out.
The Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, had brought the motion as a result of six years of work on questions of identity, relationships, sexuality, and marriage known as Living In Love And Faith.
The motion did not seek to change the position on gay marriage. Same-sex couples are still unable to marry in church. A minute of silence was observed before the vote, followed by a prayer said by the Archbishop of Canterbury.