THE Governing Body (GB) of the Church in Wales has voted overwhelmingly in favour of making its trial liturgy for the blessing of same-sex marriages or civil partnerships permanent.

A two-thirds majority was required and obtained in all three Houses: Bishops nem. con.; Clergy 32-7, with five recorded abstentions; and Laity 48-8, with two recorded abstentions.

Introducing the debate, which began on 15 April and continued the next day, the Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, said: “The tone in which we conduct this debate is as important as the debate itself. . . Many in this room and beyond are likely to be hurt and challenged by what they hear the Church saying about them.”

The Governing Body met in Llandudno last week. A procedural motion from Canon Richard Wood (Bangor) at the start of the debate on the Wednesday sought a secret ballot rather than a show of hands on the main motion.

There were “not an insignificant number who feel themselves under pressure about speaking or voting. . . Voting this way would be a true reflection of the mind of the Governing Body,” he said.

There were “not an insignificant number who feel themselves under pressure about speaking or voting”, he said. “Voting this way would be a true reflection of the mind of the Governing Body.”

But others argued that transparency was essential for accountability. “We’re not here just to have a good time,” one member said.

Canon Mark Clavier (Swansea & Brecon), seconding, described it as “a matter of moral fidelity, a matter of justice. Any vote which touches deeply on our consciences deserves the dignity of being expressed without the necessary need for courage.”

The Archdeacon of the Gwent Valleys (Monmouth), the Ven. Stella Bailey — speaking of the “dark reality” of having received “hate-filled hostile letters” — said: “If we hold a theological position, we should have the integrity to articulate it openly.”

The Revd Dr Kevin Ellis (Bangor) supported it “with a heavy heart: I wish it wasn’t necessary.”

For Canon Andrew Lightbown (Monmouth), “It would undermine everything: the most appalling example of how to do legislation. It would look like moral cowardice.”

The Archdeacon of St Davids, the Ven. Mones Farah, said: “A secret ballot procedure produces a more honest decision. Open voting damages relationships. Camps form.”

The procedural motion was lost by 57 to 43.

The committee stage of the Bill, chaired by His Honour Judge Andrew Keyser KC, then dealt with 18 proposed amendments.

Della Nelson (Llandaff) brought a series of amendments which sought to replace the word “covenant” — as it appeared in different texts — with the word “promise’”

The Archdeacon of Llandaff, the Ven. Mark Preece, who chairs the select committee, however, contended that its use in this context did not redefine marriage, and those amendments were lost.

Mrs Nelson then brought other amendments seeking to remove the blessing of rings or the lighting of a symbolic candle.

These were defended by Canon Preece as optional actions, and the amendments were lost. The tweaks to the rite which were carried were mostly in the rubric: “The couple may hold their hands together” for “the couple hold their hands together.”

An amendment brought by the Revd Andrew Kitchen (St Asaph) introduced a conscience clause to safeguard ordinands as well as clergy, and to make it clearer that no one was obliged to participate in the rite against their conscience, including churchwardens and church officials.

“These additions are essential to help offset unintended consequences — the narrowing of the Church in Wales; that it wishes to remain a broad and inclusive Church,” he said. “It protects unity and gives all clergy the same status.”

The amendment was carried.

When it came to final consideration, the proposer, the Bishop of St Asaph, the Rt Revd Gregory Cameron, who has championed the rite throughout, was visibly emotional. “You can’t say we’ve rushed the process,” he said of the 16 years of discussions. “Please, please, can we have a Church accepting of difference and not be a Church that inflicts such pain?”

He continued: “I’m here proposing the motion not for the spirit of the age but because my understanding of the central message of the gospel is love. . . The rejection of our brothers and sisters in Christ does not represent the fruits of the Spirit.” The number of services held during the five years was comparatively small, he said, but, for those who celebrated them, they had brought “life and hope and blessing”.

The Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Revd Mary Stallard, was equally fervent: “I believe the Church in Wales did something good and beautiful to aid [our] diversity — honest diversity, that shows the welcome arms of Christ open to all,” she said. “The process of withdrawing that welcome would feel the very opposite of life-giving.”

Laura Gallacher (Swansea & Brecon) said that she was unable to support the main motion, urging members to retain “a humble and honest understanding of . . . the teaching of Jesus, based on our reading of scripture”.

The Revd Matthew Davis (Monmouth) reflected on the variety of couples who were married in the Church, including some who did so “just for the pretty pictures. Our Church is a place where you are accepted and welcomed, and seen as equal. Who am I to deny?” he asked.

The Archdeacon of St Asaph, the Ven. Andrew Grimwood, feared that passing the motion “doesn’t bring unity but division”.

The Dean of Llandaff, the Very Revd Jason Bray, said: “Anybody who comes to church is totally and unequivocally welcome.”

The Revd Emma Dale (St Asaph) said: “I love the Anglican Church because it is broad. We have different ways of using the Bible, but we are all in communion together.”

The Revd Geraint John (Llandaff) reflected that, if the Church had not changed its stance on divorce, “I couldn’t have married the woman I loved.”

Lacey Jones (under-30s co-opted) believed that passing the motion “would align our actions with the values we profess as a Church”.

Hannah Wilkinson (St Davids) asked whether the Governing Body might be voting “because we want to avoid difficult decisions?”

Isaac Olding (Swansea & Brecon) speculated: “What will we be blessing in the future? People living polygamous lives?”

The motion was promulgated, and will now be incorporated into the Welsh Book of Common Prayer.