A proposal that would open the way for women to become bishops in the Church of England (CofE) has drawn a heated backlash from the group's traditionalist members, who say that such measures will give them no choice but to leave the 77-million-member communion.

The CofE's Revision Committee published a 142-page report on Saturday paving the way for the first women bishops to be ordained by the group by 2014. The report also omits provisions for parishes that oppose women bishops to opt out of their jurisdiction.

Commenting on the proposal, the Rt. Rev. John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham, told the Press Association that traditionalists would be "incandescent" and would effectively be "forced out" of the Church of England.

"I think they have no choice but to leave," he said.

Three members of the Catholic Group on General Synod who served on the Revision Committee echoed that they were "deeply disappointed" at the proposal, saying that "no progress" has been made towards reaching the traditionalists' desired outcome, which, for many in the group, includes implementing a "two-tier" system of authority.

"'Traditionalists' have remained committed to the life of the national Church and have contributed - as they wish to continue to do - to its mission to all the people of England. But this legislation would cut off their life blood, and force them out from that same Church of England, to its great detriment. A narrower and more exclusive church would be the result," the group, including Jonathan Baker, Martyn Beverley, and Simon Killwick, said

"We hope and pray that the House of Bishops, and the General Synod, will pause and think again. There must be a better way ahead, which will be good news for all in the Church of England," they added.

The ordination of women is one of the most hotly contested issues currently facing the Anglican Communion, which has also seen divides over the ordination of homosexuals and the blessing of same sex marriages.

On the issue of women bishops, traditionalists have said that such policies go against the "Apostolic teaching on male headship in church and family," which the clergy network Reform explained is "clear enough in its principles: overall leadership in the church is to be exercised by men."

"This is not cultural, but a creation ordinance and rooted in the nature of God," the group said in a recent letter, signed by over 100 bishops.

Meanwhile, the new proposal has been welcomed by liberals in the CofE, many of whom have been lobbying for women bishops for nearly two decades.

"It is now right for the Church of England as a whole to accept women and men as equal before God in all parts of its ministry," a statement from Women and the Church read.

The Church of England's governing body has scheduled an official debate on the issue in July.