The Anglican Bishop of Western Australia's North West has warned of a split within the church if it were to consider allowing same-sex marriage.

It comes after the Anglican Dean of Perth, the Very Reverend Richard Pengelley, said he believed the church would discuss the issue of changing its policy at the next National Synod.

"I think it will come, I think it's inevitable," he said.

"I think it's the trajectory of inclusion and compassion which is the way I see religion being out of step with society — not hardening, but being more inclusive.

While the Federal Parliament continues to debate Senator Dean Smith's bill, which is expected to legalise same-sex marriage, the Anglican Church still deems it illegal to marry a same sex couple.

The Liberal Senator's bill was introduced to the Senate after a majority of 61.6 per cent of Australians responded Yes to the national survey on same-sex marriage.

Bishop Gary Nelson's diocese runs from Geraldton to the Kimberley, the majority of which falls into the electorate of Durack — where 59 per cent voted Yes to change the definition of marriage.

"If it came to that point, what would be more likely to happen would be the church would split over the issue," he said.

"As has occurred in America, for example where you've got two Anglican churches — one who disagrees with same-sex marriage and one who agrees.

"I think that would be a more likely scenario than it getting passed."

Bishop Nelson said the church should not stray from its traditional beliefs.

"I think that's a very harmful position because in the long run, what you're saying is what determines the way we're going to practice our Christianity is what people around think," he said.

"You just then become a social club and if that's all the church and Christianity is, well I can think of better things to do than that.

"That's really a position I think is untenable.

"It's not my position and not the majority of Anglicans not just in Australia, but I'd suggest across the world."

Church needs to be more inclusive: Dean

Reverend Richard Pengelley hopes the church will soon deem same sex marriages legal. ( Supplied: Anglican Church )

Reverend Pengelley said while he respected the differing views of those among his community, he believed the church needed to evolve with society.

"I think we've been very good and very strong in other areas — social justice, help for the homeless, refugees," he said.

"But human sexuality, in particular, we've seemed to have got very … caught up on our sacred text that comes from a long time ago, and I think our understandings have changed."

For Reverend Pengelley, the Yes result in the same-sex marriage survey was a personal win.

"I have three children. One is married, one is engaged, one is same-sex attracted and that child doesn't have the same rights as my other children," he said.

"But I've also been in a situation as a school and university chaplain where I've counselled same-sex attracted people and I've even buried them.

"And part of the reason for their difficulty and sometimes suicide has been the persecution and alienation they felt for being same sex attracted in society."

Reverend Pengelley said while he would not marry same-sex couples until the church deemed it legal, he hoped and believed that would soon become a reality.