The Bishop as a Corporation Sole  

The Bishop as a Corporation Sole-a term usually shortened to "Corp Sole"-consists of money given to the Bishop of Los Angeles through bequests and gifts. Some of Corp Sole's funds are designated for particular uses: for example, certain monies are to be used only for ministry among Native Americans. Other funds are unrestricted, and may be used at the bishop's discretion.

Rather than being controlled by a board of directors or other entity, Corp Sole is the legal responsibility of the Bishop of Los Angeles, whoever he or she may be. Bishop Diocesan J. Jon Bruno seeks the advice of the bishop suffragan and bishops assistant and a group of skilled laypeople to administer the funds, although the legal responsibility is his alone.

Since Corp Sole was established, bishops of the diocese have granted funds for certain ministries. For many years, these contributions were not reflected in the Mission Share Fund budget. Ministries would be funded, and few people knew where the money came from. In recent years, contributions from Corp Sole and the ministries they make possible have been included in the Mission Share Fund budget in order to reflect the financial position of the diocese and the real cost of its work.

When Bruno became bishop diocesan in 2002, he chose to make larger contributions to the Mission Share Fund from Corp Sole for about three years to provide seed money for ministries set forth and adopted by Convention in the Vision, Mission and Values statement, with the understanding that increased giving by parishes and missions would allow these ministries to continue after the three-year Corporation Sole commitment was fulfilled.

Progress has been made toward giving by all congregations at the levels set forth by the Special Convention, and the Mission Share Fund is now less dependent upon subsidy from Corp Sole. Diocesan Convention and Diocesan Council have both stated on record that it is the goal of the diocese to be independent of Corp Sole. Achieving this goal will allow Corp Sole funds to be further available to fund new ministries at the diocesan and congregational levels.