Keith Newton, Andrew Burnham and John Broadhurst left the Church of England over its support for women in the episcopate.

They were ordained at a ceremony led by the head of the Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Rev Vincent Nichols, and will now take up roles within the Ordinariate set up by Pope Benedict XVI for disaffected Anglican clergy.

Father Newton has been appointed leader of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, the title of which points to a shrine in Norfolk that is a destination for Anglican as well as Catholic pilgrims.

According to the BBC, Fr Newton estimates that at least 50 more Anglican clergy may make the move to Rome, along with members of their congregations.

Fr Burnham was the former Bishop of Ebbsfleet, while Father Newton, former Bishop of Richborough, and Fr Broadhurst, former Bishop of Fulham, had both been “flying bishops” for parishes in the Church of England that had opted out of women priests.

Archbishop Nichols admitted that the entry of Anglicans to the Catholic fold had involved "painful misunderstandings, conflict and uncertainty".

He added: "Many ordinations have take place in this cathedral during the 100 years of its history. But none quite like this."

The Church of England’s commitment to consecrate women bishops in the next few years has divided members and left opponents feeling isolated in spite of proposals to accommodate them even after the first women bishop are consecrated – expected to be no sooner than 2014.

Newton, Burnham and Broadhurst were among those who felt that the provisions do not go far enough.

Orthodox Anglicans, particularly Reform and the Catholic Group within the Church of England, have opted for a more ‘wait and see’ approach in the hope that the new make-up of the General Synod will put an end to draft legislation allowing women bishops.