The Church in Wales is set to vote on whether to introduce blessings for same-sex couples next year, and on same-sex marriage in 2027.
The Bench of Bishops released a pastoral letter to congregants on Thursday, saying it does not want the topic of same-sex unions to be a “church-dividing issue”.
The bishops said there has been “passionate but gracious discussion” from those on both sides of the debate, and acknowledged that many of its members “discern a middle ground” of endorsing blessings, but not marriage.
A five-year trial period for the Rite of Blessing, which saw legally married same-sex couples able to seek blessings from the Church, is drawing to a close.
This year, Rt Rev Cherry Vann, who is in a civil partnership, became Archbishop of the Church in Wales.
“The Governing Body of the Church in Wales is now approaching the point where it must take major decisions on these matters,” read the letter.
“Most of those who spoke [during the trial period] did so in favour of the view that the time is right to offer equal marriage to traditional and same sex couples,” it continued.
“Nonetheless, there is a strong part of our Church family that finds such a step difficult to hold within their understanding of fidelity to Scripture, and therefore within our common life.”
The Governing Body will vote on same-sex blessings in April, before further proposals on marriage are brought in April 2027.