"The effect of the Committee's decision is therefore that such arrangements as are made for those unable to receive the episcopal ministry of women will need to be by way of delegation from the diocesan bishop rather than vesting."

The remaining options are to simply allow women to become bishops in the same way men would, or to do so with an accompanying Code of Practice which would advise on pastoral oversight for those unhappy with women bishops.

The chairman of Reform, the Rev Rod Thomas, said the Committee had "served the Church badly," and their decision had "overturned the will of Synod, created the spectre of confrontation, and risks extending the controversy for another five years."

The chairman of the Third Province Movement, Margaret Brown, said: "This is really very ungenerous. These women wanted to come in, to butt in, without taking responsibility for the ensuing problems. It's like they've got the diamond ring in an inheritance, and now they want their brother's golden watch too. It is very unchristian."

That is the wrong way to understand the argument, said the chair of Women and the Church (WATCH), Christina Rees, who called on the Church to concentrate on what God was calling it to do to reflect its position on women. She said: "This is a real breakthrough. I am delighted that now we can look forward to having women as bishops on the same terms as men. Women will bring valuable different perspectives and ways of doing things and will also bring a sorely needed wholeness to the Episcopal leadership of our Church."

Traditionalists are especially upset as the Committee had signalled in October that it had "voted to amend the draft Measure to provide for certain functions to be vested in bishops by statute rather than by delegation from the diocesan bishop under a statutory Code of Practice." That was criticised by supporters of women bishops as betraying the will of Synod, an accusation which is now being taken up by traditionalists.

Mr Thomas said: "There has been much speculation about Anglo-catholics leaving the Church of England for Rome. What has been overlooked is the number of large evangelical churches which the Church of England now risks losing - not to Rome, but to independence or alternative Anglican affiliations." The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans UK has declared itself ready to wrest power from the Church's hierarchy should it liberalise further.

The Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Rev Peter Broadbent, who is on the Revision Committee said: "It is difficult to know how many people have been swayed by the Vatican's offer. Those who've been swayed are those who don't know enough about Anglo-catholics.

Ms Rees said: "The Vatican's invitation, whatever you think about the substance, highlighted the difference in Governance between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, and I think it might have made some people on the Revision Committee think 'no, we are a different Church, we have to make our own laws, we have to decide what we want to do'."

Bishop Broadbent warned that the debate was still far from concluded: "Whatever we end up with has got to have two-thirds majority in Synod... so it's still incomplete, but clearly the traditionalists who are wanting the models we've already looked at and haven't been able to make work, are right to be concerned."

Mr Thomas said: "Within the General Synod there will be many who will be deeply unhappy at the bullying tactics being used to dismiss opponents of the proposed new legislation."

Ms Rees said the change in direction was down to pressure from Synod members: "The Revision Committee had lost focus. The outpouring of dismay after their announcement on October 8 concentrated their minds. I think they are listening in a new way."

Bishop Broadbent said it was appropriate that the Committee was lobbied, but that they would not be swayed by emotional pleas: "There's emotion throughout this, there's emotion from those who are against women bishops and there's emotion from those in favour. What we have to do is try and think what's best for the Church, and do that theologically and coherently."

END