John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln, has instructed staff to draw up the liturgy in which those in “non-marriage relationships” are able to step forward in church and give thanks to God for their union.

The move stops short of introducing a “marriage” service for gays, but it is likely to anger traditionalists and wreck attempts by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to heal the rift in the church over homosexuality.

Although there have been unofficial blessings of gay relationships in parish churches, never before has a diocese or a bishop sanctioned a rite for homosexual relationships.

“When I arrived in the diocese,” said Saxbee, “I saw a member of the clergy become a victim of tabloid sensationalism for being prepared to support same-sex friendships liturgically. Part of the impetus behind this initiative was to provide a way clergy could do that with diocesan support.”

Saxbee, who is married, argues that the new service will be “consistent with current Anglican guidelines” because it does not claim to sanctify or bless a relationship, but simply gives thanks for a friendship.

Critics, however, see this distinction as semantic and say his move damages efforts to uphold the institution of marriage.

“Who’s kidding who?” said David Banting, chairman of Reform, the largest evangelical grouping in the Church of England. “Would liturgy for this sort of relationship have come forward for friendship’s sake were it not for the pressure from the gay lobby?” A draft of the service has been completed and the committee responsible has suggested four books to help as a resource in planning services. Three of the four are gay prayer books.

Two years ago Saxbee courted controversy by publicly backing a vicar in his diocese who was blessing same-sex unions. He said then: “I have indicated I would not stand in the way so long as he abides by my condition that they must not be made to look like marriages.”

The new move by Saxbee may signal that parts of the church are ready to follow the lead of parliament which recently passed the “civil partnerships” act, giving registered same-sex couples many of the same tax and inheritance advantages as married couples.

The draft service has been produced by the Lincoln liturgical committee, chaired by Tim Ellis, Archdeacon of Stow. It includes a welcome and an opening reading chosen from about a dozen passages in the Bible on the nature of friendship. At one point couples step forward towards the altar and with the priest give thanks to God for the relationship.

There is then an opportunity for the couple to declare a commitment, and an address and chance to exchange gifts. The service can be used by close friends, not necessarily couples with a sexual relationship.

Peter Godden, rector of Owmby in Lincolnshire and secretary of the liturgical committee, said: “We do recognise that the service will be used by same-sex couples, but we have not provided any specific references to any kind of relationship or friendship.”

A senior Anglican source described Saxbee’s move as “the kind of precipitate action that the primates under Williams have been urging against”.

But Martin Reynolds, spokesman for the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said: “Lincoln should be congratulated. There will undoubtedly be a number of gay couples who will use this service and it sets a good example for other Anglican dioceses to follow.”

Additional reporting: Sarah Keenlyside

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