Opponents of women bishops could be given “conscientious objector” status similar to that given to pacifists during the two world wars under proposals being considered by legislators in the Church of England.

Campaigners for the ordination of women priests and bishops have drawn up a scheme for their opponents which fits with the “time-honoured way of reconciling those who are unable to go along with a change which is taking place”.

The proposal is being considered by the General Synod’s legislative drafting group established to draw up the new measure to permit the consecration of women to the episcopate, and chaired by the Bishop of Manchester, the Right Rev Nigel McCulloch.

If agreed by the synod, it would pave the way for the first women to be consecrated to the episcopate soon after 2010, the original target date set by the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey.

Among the women high-flyers in the Church of England who could be in the frame for a mitre are Canon Christine Hardman, Archdeacon of Lewisham, the Very Rev Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester and acknowledged as the Church’s most senior woman, and the Very Rev June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury. All are still in their fifties so the legislation would be enacted with plenty of time before they reach retirement age.

It will be opposed by many traditionalists who will hold out for the separate jurisdiction of a “third province”, covering the same geographical territory of the York and Canterbury provinces but with separate structures of its own. One supporter of woman priests said: “We know that not all traditionalists will welcome this because they want a third province. But we believe it provides a good way forward and we hope it will be acted on.”