The Church of England might have to split in two with a separate enclave for traditionalists if women are consecrated bishops, according to a report disclosed today.
An option of a “third province” within the Church in the event of women bishops is set out in a draft report by a working party headed by the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali.
The enclave would exclude women clerics and would be headed by its own archbishop, bishops, parish clergy and training colleges.
A Church of England spokesman said the option was part of a spectrum of possible action put forward in the report – including taking no action – should women becoming bishops.
He said: “There is a spectrum of possibilities. What they have put forward is possible scenarios, not as recommendations or anything of that sort.”
The report is due to go before the House of Bishops before it is debated by the Church of England General Synod.
The Church of England introduced women clerics in 1993 amid threats of a split from traditionalist Anglicans.
So-called “flying bishops” were created afterwards to minister to parishes opposed to female clergy.