Global Anglican Communion Chairman Blasts Church in Wales Decision to Bless Same-Sex Marriages
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Rite to be added to the Church in Wales' Book of Common Prayer
By David W. Virtue, DD
April 17, 2026
The Church in Wales Governing Body has voted to make permanent provision for church blessings of same-sex civil marriages and civil partnerships.
Five years ago, the Governing Body declared it "pastorally unsustainable" to offer no formal recognition to those in committed same-sex relationships, and approved a blessing rite on a five-year experimental basis. That trial period expires in September.
At its meeting in Llandudno, the Governing Body debated a motion to make the provision permanent by incorporating the rite into the Book of Common Prayer. The measure required a two-thirds majority across each of the three Orders: Bishops, Clergy, and Laity. All five bishops voted in favor. Clergy approved the measure 32–7, with five abstentions; laity voted 48–8, with two abstentions.
The Church in Wales does not yet permit same-sex marriage. However, following several months of listening exercises, the bishops issued a pastoral letter in November 2025 indicating that a majority favored the view that "the time is right to offer equal marriage." Further proposals are expected in April 2027 to change both civil and church law accordingly.
Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Cherry Vann, said: "I want to thank everyone for the ways in which this debate was conducted — calmly, and with mutual respect. 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."
Archbishop Vann has been in a relationship with Wendy Diamond, a retired council employee, for 30 years. The two entered a civil partnership in 2015. Vann kept the relationship private until her appointment as Bishop of Monmouth in 2020.
Global Anglican Communion Chairman Pushes Back
The Most Rev. Dr. Laurent Mbanda, Primate of the Church of Rwanda and Chairman of the Global Anglican Communion, responded sharply to the vote.
"Five years ago, the Governing Body of the Church in Wales approved the trial usage of a liturgical rite of blessing for same-sex marriages — and today it has become the first church to make such rites a permanent addition to its Book of Common Prayer," he said. "This decision received unanimous support from the bishops and overwhelming support from both clergy and laity."
Mbanda called the vote a departure from Scripture: "The leaders of the Church in Wales have shown their determination to continue to wander from the truth of God's word. For our part, we continue to call upon them to turn back from their error and to 'choose this day' whom they will serve" (Joshua 24:15).
He invited disaffected Welsh Anglicans to align with the Global Anglican Communion. "We offer prayers for the faithful in Wales and we invite them — and all biblically faithful Christians throughout the Anglican world — to sign the Jerusalem Declaration and join with us as we seek to proclaim Christ faithfully to the nations."