The Church of England also outlined its objections to the bill in a briefing note sent to lawmakers Friday.

It cannot support the legislation "because of its concern for the uncertain and unforeseen consequences for wider society and the common good when marriage is redefined in gender-neutral terms," it said.

It also argues that civil partnerships "already confer the same rights as marriage" and that allowing same-sex couples to marry will open the door to "continued legal disputes for years to come."

The issue of same-sex marriage has also prompted wide disagreement elsewhere.

Lawmakers in France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, on Saturday passed with a wide majority the most important article of a law to legalize same-sex marriage.

Debate will continue for the next week on thousands of proposed amendments to the law, which would also open adoption to same-sex couples.

The vote by French lawmakers followed big public protests against the bill, which has proved highly divisive in the majority Catholic country.

In the United States, where President Barack Obama has voiced his personal support for same-sex marriage, it has been legalized in nine states and the District of Columbia.

At the same time, 30 states have passed constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center.

Polls show the U.S. public has gradually become more accepting of same-sex marriage, with more Americans in favor in 2013 than opposed, according to Pew.

Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa and Norway are among nearly a dozen countries that allow same-sex marriages.

According to a report released in May 2011 by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, same-sex relations are still criminalized in 76 countries, and in five of those countries, the death penalty can be applied.