Eleven conservative congregations that broke away from the U.S. Episcopal Church claimed victory Friday.

The Episcopal Church filed suit against them, contending that all church property belonged to it and that when a congregation breaks away, the property is considered "abandoned."

A Virginia judge, however, said that a state statute allows the churches to keep their property.

Two of the churches, Falls Church and Truro, sit on land near the nation's capitol worth $25 million.

CBN News spoke with Bishop Martyn Minns on the historical ruling.

He is the missionary bishop of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America that the churches involved belong to.

Click the play button for his comments.