Under the proposals, new heresy courts, headed by bishops and advised by panels of theologians, would hear cases in which priests were alleged to have erred on doctrine, ritual or ceremonial.

The Church of England has been rocked by a number of doctrinal controversies in the last century, notably that of the teaching of the former Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev David Jenkins, in relation to the Virgin Birth and the Resurrection.

However, there were fears the courts could be used to enforce a traditionalist view, targeting clergy, who for example, support same-sex marriages or gay priests.

The Venerable Robert Reiss, the Archdeacon of Surrey, warned against a witch-hunt.

“If theological conservatives try to use this as a stick to beat liberals over the head with then the church will gravely damage itself,” he said.

Addressing the General Synod, The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said it was important for the Church of England to be able to speak out against issues like Apartheid.

“The question I think we ought to be asking is whether this does or does not serve the integrity or credibility of the church in the long run,” the Archbishop said.

“I believe that such a measure can serve the integrity and credibility of the church if we do indeed step back in this way.

“It is over 20 years since the World Alliance of Reform Churches declared that the theological justification for Apartheid was a heresy.

“It would be, I think a very incredible and inadequate Christian church which did not have the resource to say something like that.”

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