 In November 2006 , 15 conservative Episcopal churches voted to split from the Diocese of Virginia over the ordination of openly gay bishops and clergy in other dioceses of the Episcopal Church ; these churches continue to claim affiliation with the larger Anglican Communion through other bodies outside the United States . Though Virginia law allows parishioners to determine their church 's affiliation , the diocese claimed the secessionist churches ' buildings and properties . The resulting property law case , ultimately decided in favor of the mainline diocese , was a test for Episcopal churches nationwide . 
