Official figures released by the Church of England revealed the final cost of women priests, mounting up to ?6 million. Clergy had been entitled to ‘hardship payments?after resigning from office because they were not able to reconcile the ordination of women with their conscience.

As the Church’s financial crisis worsens, the final bill for women priests is deepening the financial burden for the Church Commissioners.

The number of clergy to have applied for provision under the legislation since women were ordained to the priesthood is rise to 439 by 21st February.

Costs going out as payments to opponents of women’s ordination will add to the growing concern of bishops who are already forced to cut the number of their clergy in their diocese.

“This shows that the Church has lost hugely both financially and in terms of talent over women priests,?said Stephen Parkinson, the director of Forward in Faith.