Delegates to the national assembly of the traditionalist group Forward in Faith, including dozens of clergy, heard they needed to address a key aspect of an "exodus" brought on by the ordination of women bishops.

Clergyman Geoffrey Kirk told the audience: "The Hebrews did not leave Egypt empty handed. We must now apply ourselves to the task of securing our buildings and assets. We must ensure - for its own good and self-respect - that the Church of England is as generous in its dealings with us."

When the initiative was announced, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, said people would face "formidable legal obstacles" if they wished to appropriate churches for their converted congregations.

The Anglican Bishop of Southwark, Tom Butler, has already written to his clergy warning against property seizure.

Delegates were told the Vatican initiative was not to be taken lightly.

Keith Newton, a "flying bishop" who provides care for people opposed to women clergy and who has had several meetings with senior Vatican officials, said there was "no opportunity to negotiate the contents" of what was on offer. Converts would have to accept all aspects of Catholicism and only maintain Anglican traditions that met with Vatican approval.

For John Gaisford, the retired bishop of Beverley, it was too much. He said: "I never sought to cross the Tiber. I want to fight as fiercely as we can for our position within the Anglican communion." His remarks drew warm applause. However, many people remarked that the Vatican had offered more than they had expected or hoped for. One cleric said they had gone "looking for a lifeboat and been offered a galleon".

The price would be high for clergy. They would have to leave behind a job, salary and home and be reordained.

One of the panel speakers was Father David Houlding, who is a member of General Synod, the Church of England's governing body. He would lose it all if he were to convert. "I am considering it, but there is a lot to consider," he said.

The Pope's decision has many like Father Houlding wondering where their future lies. They are anxious about whether legislation on women bishops will offer enough pastoral care for people opposed to their ordination, and there are fears that too much enthusiasm for the apostolic constitution will lead the synod to withdraw concessions for traditionalists.

END