The Scottish Episcopal Church has voted in favour of same-sex weddings

The Scottish Episcopal Church has become the first mainstream branch of Christianity in the UK to allow same-sex weddings.

In a vote this afternoon at its General Synod, all three houses of the meeting – the bishops, clergy and laity – came out in favour.

The decision was overwhelming, with at least two-thirds of all groups voting for same-sex weddings.

In all, 74 percent of the General Synod voted for the motion, which will remove the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman from the Church’s canon.

It will also add a section which acknowledges there are different understandings of marriage, thus allowing clergy to conduct weddings between same-sex couples.

The Anglican Church does not have to perform same-sex weddings in the UK.

But this vote means that any British Anglican Christians wanting a religious same-sex wedding can now get one by going to the Scottish Episcopal Church.