The group given the task of ending the Church of England's impasse over female bishops believes legislation to bring women into the episcopate could be approved as early as 2014 – a year sooner than expected.
Last November the General Synod rejected draft legislation that would have allowed female clergy to become bishops by six votes, leaving the church fractured and facing criticism from parliament.
Fears of an enduring standoff deepened in July this year, following a synod vote that suggested traditionalist members of the house of laity remained deeply opposed to female bishops.
But in a report published on Friday , the 15-strong steering committee for the draft legislation on women in the episcopate said that if its proposals found favour at the synod's next two meetings, final approval could be given next year.
Among its recommendations is the creation of an ombudsman who could rule on any complaints from traditionalists who are against women bishops.
The synod's general secretary, William Fittall, said he was optimistic the deadlock could be broken but warned once again that another failure to resolve the issue would prove "very serious" for the church.
Fittall said the steering group – which comprises five synod members who voted against the introduction of female bishops last November – had agreed that their proposals were the best way forward for the church.
"Where we go from here is entirely dependent on what happens [at the next synod meeting] in November," he said.
"What we've got today are proposals that have been worked on by 15 members of the synod and it's now for the other 455 to make up their mind. But … this is the first time since discussion of women bishops started 13 years ago that a complete package of proposals has been agreed by people with such a wide range of views." Sam Jones
Although Fittall said he believed the church was at the beginning of "a new and a hopeful phase", the committee's members did not unanimously vote to commend their report to the synod and the house of bishops.
Thirteen did, but the Rev Paul Benfield of the synod's Anglo-Catholic wing and Susie Leafe, director of the conservative evangelical Reform group, abstained from the vote.
In a joint statement, the archbishops of Canterbury and York said they hoped the matter of female bishops would be resolved as soon as possible.
"It is significant that the 15 members of the steering committee … who represent the widest possible range of opinion on the matter, have been able to reach substantial agreement on a package of proposals to put to general synod in November," they said.
"For this we thank God, and we pray in hope that this will help general synod debate and decide on the necessary next steps to enable women to become bishops."
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