Life is about to get very interesting for members of the Church of England — an institution which seems on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

Details right here:

Members of its General Synod threw out compromise proposals on females in senior ranks.

All safeguards demanded by traditionalists were rejected.

But the Vatican warned the ruling would present a new obstacle to reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

In a statement it said: “We learned with regret the news of the vote of the Church of England that opens the way to the introduction of legislation that would lead to the ordination of women bishops.”

Sky News correspondent Mike McCarthy said it was a historic and significant moment for the church.

“The real test now is how many people will leave (the Church). There are certainly going to be many wrestling with their consciences,” he said.

The Synod members voted to approve work on a national statutory code to accommodate those within the Church who object to women bishops.

But the Synod rejected compromise plans for new “super bishops” to cater for objectors – and also their preferred option of creating new dioceses.

The decision to go ahead with work on the code came after more than six hours of debate by the General Synod, which saw extraordinary scenes, with one bishop in tears as he spoke of being “ashamed” of the Church of England.

The Rt Rev Stephen Venner, Bishop of Dover, who is in favour of women bishops, said: “I have to say, Synod, for the first time in my life, I feel ashamed.

“We have talked for hours about wanting to give an honourable place to those who disagree.

“We have been given opportunities for both views to flourish. We have turned down every, almost realistic opportunity for those who are opposed to flourish.”

A total of 1,333 clergy have threatened to leave the Church of England if they are not given legal safeguards to set up a network of parishes that would remain under male leadership.