A motion that would have allowed individual dioceses to authorise the blessing of same-sex unions has been narrowly defeated by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Had the motion been approved, any diocesan synod would have been authorised to bless same-sex unions in accordance with the approval of the diocesan bishop and "in a manner which respects the conscience of the incumbent and the will of the parish".

While lay delegates and clergy voted in favour, 78 to 59 and 63 to 53 respectively, the House of Bishops overturned their votes by rejecting the motion 21 to 19 at the General Synod on Sunday. The motion required the approval of all three orders to be passed.

Supporters of the motion argued that the love of God and Christ encompasses gay people and their relationships, and also pointed to the fact that gay unions are already affirmed by law in Canada. Opponents, meanwhile, said that homosexuality is clearly defined as a sin in the Bible. They also warned that a vote in favour of the motion would strain relations between the Anglican Church of Canada and Anglican churches in Africa and Asia.

Despite the no-vote for blessings, a lengthy debate spread over Saturday and Sunday morning still concluded, however, with the passing of a motion stating that the blessing of same-sex unions is "not in conflict with the core doctrine (in the sense of being credal) of the Anglican Church of Canada".

The motion was carried in the house of clergy and laity by a vote of 152 for and 97 against, and by a vote of 21 for and 19 against in the House of Bishops.

Bishop Victoria Matthews of Edmonton, who chaired the theological commission, said in a report in Canada's The Anglican Journal: "We heard time and again that for many people saying 'no' meant not at this time. We heard some people asking for theology.

"But we know that people on both sides of the issue, those who voted for, those who voted against leave tonight with a profound sense of sadness that the body of Christ is so broken."