Cymraeg
Cymraeg Search
Search
English
Cymraeg
Home News Discerning the future of same-sex blessings in the Church in Wales

Discerning the future of same-sex blessings in the Church in Wales

17th February 2025
Provincial news

The Church in Wales is preparing to revisit its stance on same-sex blessings as the time-limited provision introduced in October 2021 nears its expiration in September 2026. In a message to members, the Archbishop of Wales Andrew John has called for a period of prayerful discernment and open dialogue as the Church explores potential paths forward. Options include allowing the provision to lapse, extending the current blessings, or taking the significant step of introducing a formal service of marriage for same-sex couples.

Archbishop Andrew John said:

Dear friends,

I’m wanting to address you about an issue with which the Church in Wales needs to engage through its Governing Body. The decision taken in October 2021 to provide a service of blessing for same-sex couples was a time limited provision. This will lapse at the end of September 2026 unless some further provision is made, and it is this to which we now need to turn our hearts and minds in prayerful and honest discernment.

The Bishops of the Church in Wales have agreed that the options open to us ought to engage us afresh and are seeking to bring us together in conversation this Spring. The details of these meetings have now been agreed in each archdeaconry. I wish to stress the purpose of these meetings is to listen – respectfully and attentively. We believe there is wisdom in this kind of approach which allows different voices to be expressed and heard without comment or censure. We don’t expect these voices to be pilloried or applauded. Our task is to hear from each other and to seek, as best we can, the wisdom of God in our conversations.

The options open to us might see the provision we made in October 2021 simply lapse and nothing further. There would be no authorised liturgy or facility for blessing couples in same-sex unions. We could of course extend this provision and continue with our current practice. It is also open to us to offer a service of marriage for same-sex couples, and this would be a significant step for the church to make.

My invitation to you all is to participate. Whatever kinds of reflection these meetings might offer and whatever decision the Governing Body might take, it’s our engaging with each other, with Scripture and tradition in a respectful way to which we must now give ourselves. Please do attend one of the sessions in your locality and may God give us grace and peace to hear his voice.

+Andrew Cambrensis

Resources to facilitate discernment in the Church in Wales on same-sex marriage
Meetings in the Diocese of St Asaph

The following meetings will be held in the Diocese of St Asaph:

  • Prestatyn Community Hall (next to Christ Church Prestatyn), LL19 9BN: Thursday 27 March at 7pm
  • St Mary’s Church Hall, Ruabon, LL14 6DS: Monday 31 March at 7pm
  • Llandrinio Village Hall, SY22 6SB: Wednesday 2 April at 7pm
  • St David’s Hall, adjacent to St David Church, Penrhyn Bay, LL30 3NT: Thursday 8 May at 7pm
  • Llangollen Pavilion, LL20 8SW: Monday 12 May at 7pm
  • St Mark’s Church Hall, Connah’s Quay, CH5 4AD: Monday 19 May at 7pm
Meetings in the Diocese of Bangor

The following meetings will be held in the Diocese of Bangor:

Anglesey

  • St Mary's, Menai Bridge, LL59 5EA: Monday 17 Feb at 6pm
  • St Eleth's, Amlwch, LL68 9EA: Tuesday 1 April at 6pm

Meirionnydd

  • Bishop Gwilym Room, St Catherine's Church, Criccieth: Tuesday 25 March at 7pm
  • St Peter's Church Hall, Machynlleth, SY20 8HE: Wednesday 2 April at 7pm

Bangor

  • Ty Deiniol, LL57 1LH: Monday 17 March at 6pm
  • Holy Trinity, Llandudno, LL30 2RH: Tuesday 18 March at 6pm
Meetings in the Diocese of St Davids

The following meetings will be held in the Diocese of St Davids:

St Davids Archdeaconry

  • St Rhian, Llanrhian, Haverfordwest, SA62 5BG: Tuesday 11 February at 7-8.30pm
  • Robeston Wathen, Narberth, SA67 8EJ: Monday 24 March at 7-8.30pm
  • Church of the Holy Spirit, Hakin, Court Rise, Hakin, Milford Haven, SA73 3PG: Thursday 12 June at 7-8.30pm

Carmarthenshire Archdeaconry

  • St Peter's Civic Hall, SA31 1PG: Thursday 6th March at 7-8.30pm
  • St Mark's Church, Penygroes Rd, Cwm Coch, Ammanford, SA18 3HZ: Wednesday 9th April 7-8.30pm
  • St Teilo, Llandeilo, SA19 6BH: Wednesday 21 May 7-8.30pm
  • Dafen Church Hall, Bryngwyn Road Dafen Llanelli, SA14 8LW: Tuesday 3 June at 7-8.30pm

Cardigan Archdeaconry

  • St Peter’s Church Hall, Lampeter, SA48 7ER: Monday 17 March at 7-8.30pm
  • Aberaeron Church Hall, Bridge Street, Aberaeron, SA46 0AX: Tuesday 1 April at 7-8.30pm
  • Holy Trinity, Aberystwyth, SY23 1LT: Wednesday 18 June at 7-8.30pm
  • St Tysul's Church Street, Llandysul, SA44 4QS: Thursday 19 June at 7-8.30pm
Meetings in the Diocese of Llandaff

The following meetings will be held in the Diocese of Llandaff:

  • Ystradyfodwg: Saturday 29 March
  • Neath Port Talbot: Wednesday 02 April
  • Bridgend: Saturday 05 April
  • Eglwysilan: Monday 28 April
  • The Vale of Glamorgan: Monday 19 May
  • Cardiff: Thursday 22 May
  • Llandaff Cathedral: Tuesday 3 June

Please contact your Area Dean for details on times and locations.

Meetings in the Diocese of Monmouth

The following meetings will be held in the Diocese of Monmouth:

  • Newport Cathedral, NP20 4ED: Tuesday 18th March 2025 at 7pm
  • St Mary’s, Abergavenny, NP7 5ND: Wednesday 26th March 2025 at 7pm
  • St Augustine’s, Pontllanfraith, NP12 2JG: Thursday 10th April 2025 at 2pm
  • All Saints, Cyncoed, CF23 6RU: Monday 12th May 2025 at 7.30pm
  • St Mary’s, Magor, NP26 3LY: Thursday 5th June 2025 at 11am
  • Newport Cathedral, NP20 4ED: Wednesday 11th June 2025 at 11am
Meetings in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon

The following meetings will be held in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon. Please book on to an event via the links below:

You may also like