Legal Definitions - monitory letter

A monitory letter is a type of communication sent by an ecclesiastical judge to staff members in response to reported abuses or scandals. The purpose of the letter is to admonish or warn the staff members about their behavior and to encourage them to correct their actions.

For example, if a member of the church staff was found to be misusing church funds, the ecclesiastical judge may send a monitory letter to that staff member. The letter would explain the seriousness of the offense and encourage the staff member to make restitution and change their behavior.

In another example, if a scandal involving inappropriate behavior by a staff member was reported, the ecclesiastical judge may send a monitory letter to all staff members. The letter would remind them of the church's expectations for behavior and encourage them to uphold those standards.

These examples illustrate how monitory letters are used to address issues within a church community and to encourage staff members to act in accordance with the church's values and expectations.