A north-east Victorian Anglican diocese has voted to bless same-sex marriages, two years after Australia legalised the union.

Key points: The vote means clergy in the Wangaratta Diocese can bless members of the LGBTIQ+ community if they want to

The vote means clergy in the Wangaratta Diocese can bless members of the LGBTIQ+ community if they want to Evangelical Christians in the Anglican Church League say the vote will cause a national "crisis" in the church

Evangelical Christians in the Anglican Church League say the vote will cause a national "crisis" in the church Two priests who have been in a relationship for more than 20 years will be blessed

Bishop John Parkes was successful in obtaining a majority vote at the synod of the Diocese of Wangaratta on Saturday.

The regulation will allow clergy to conduct a blessing on members of the LGBTIQ+ community if they wish to.

"This is a difficult issue and people's conscience takes different views," Bishop Parkes said.

"My own view is that there's nothing in the Bible that understands the sorts of relationships that we are talking about, in this day and age."

Bishop Parkes described the moment the vote was revealed as "restrained joy".

The vote taken among the laity and licensed clergy was recorded as 67 in favour to 18 against.

"This is a long overdue recognition that if God is love, and faithful persons are living together in love, then the church ought to bless those persons in the name of God," Bishop Parkes said.

Bishop Parkes has spent the past year studying the right way for the LGBTIQ+ community to be accepted, while still following the rules of the church.

He said social attitudes in relation to same-sex couples were changing.

"It's about inclusivity. It's about God being God of all people."

Bishop Parkes says the Anglican Church has been "frozen" on the issue of same-sex couples. ( Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta )

Looming 'crisis'

The move is not without its detractors.

Evangelical Christians in the Anglican Church League stated that Bishop Parkes' decision to push forward with the motion would cause a national "crisis" in the church.

It said the matter would also be referred to the Appellate Tribunal for review.

Anticipating their concern, Bishop Parkes acknowledged the outcome was a significant disaster for some.

"There are suggestions that I will be disciplined by other parts of the church," he said after the successful vote.

"If I've done something wrong then I am more than happy to answer for it, but I don't believe I have."

Bishop Parkes said he had taken careful legal advice from church lawyers in the lead-up to the synod.

"I have sat with the tensions of the church for many years. I have decided that now is the time that I have to act in conscience, to do what I believe to be right."

The vote does not allow the Anglican Church to conduct marriages between anyone other than a man and a woman.

But Bishop Parkes, who is set to retire this year, said this vote was a significant step for the church.

"Will things develop? Who knows. The future is an open horizon of possibility."

Motivated by LGBTIQ+ despair

Through his studies, Bishop Parkes became aware of a high number of LGBTIQ+ people taking their lives or self-harming.

"The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists has a position paper out talking about mental health outcomes for LGBTIQA people and that makes really disturbing reading in terms of suicidal ideation, in terms of self-harm, particularly among young people."

He said this motivated him to act and do what he believed was the right thing.

"There are many gay people who are faithful Christians, who are living in the church.

"For many of them they have spent years hiding their identity.

"I hope that at least in this part of north-east Victoria it will mean that gay and lesbian Christians can be who they are; marry under state law and be blessed and accepted in their church."

Bishop Parkes said there were speakers who opposed the blessings during the meeting.

"I'm open to conversation. I'm happy to talk. I'm happy to explain the theological reasons why I think what we're doing is right."

The Wangaratta Cathedral where same-sex couples may soon receive blessings. ( Supplied: Wangaratta Diocese )

Blessings planned for two priests

In the coming weeks, Bishop Parkes will bless two priests from Wangaratta, John Davis and Rob Whalley, who have been in a relationship for more than 20 years.

"To be able to stand with them and have them affirm their identity is a very special and important thing," Bishop Parkes said.

He hopes other LGBTIQ+ people will feel accepted in the church.

"There will be those who are struggling with their own identity and I want to say to them as directly as I can, 'God loves you and we love you and you are who you are, and that's okay!'"