The proposals to bless same-sex couples in civil partnerships and marriage have been approved by the Church of England General Synod.
A two-day marathon debate ended with a vote in favor of the motion at the church’s parliament meeting on Thursday.
After a legal marriage ceremony, same-sex couples can go to Anglican churches for services that include prayers of dedication, thanksgiving, and God’s blessing if the motion is approved.
Priests will be able to bless gay couples but will have the option to decline.
The motion was brought by the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, as a result of six years of work on issues of identity, relationships, sexuality, and marriage known as Living In Love And Faith.
The motion did not seek to change the government’s stance on gay marriage. Same-gender couples are still barred from marrying in church. Before the vote, there was a minute of silence, followed by a prayer said by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
