MONITORE ECCLESIASTICO, IL. - A journal of canon and ecclesiastical law, the oldest in its field, founded at Maratea (Potenza) in 1876 by the priest Casimiro Gennari (later Card.), with the purpose of disseminating among the clergy, diocesan curias, and ecclesiastical tribunals canonical and civil legislation and jurisprudence in ecclesiastical matters, with notes, commentaries, and studies inspired by the directives of the Holy See.
After Gennari’s death (31 Jan. 1914), so that the journal might not cease to exist, Pius X entrusted its editorship to Mons. L. Lavitrano (later Card.), who was succeeded by Mons. U. Mannucci (1920–31) and then by Mons. S. Romani (1932–1937), while publishing management was taken over by the Desclée house in Rome. Between 1938 and 1948, the editorship and publication of the M. E. passed to the Congregation of the Mission.
From 1949 the journal, once again published by the Desclée house, has appeared in quarterly issues of 200 pages, under the editorship of P. A. Larraona and F. Romita, and with the collaboration of consultors and officials of the Roman Curia; since it is written in Latin, its name has also been changed to Monitor ecclesiasticus. Its contents are divided into: 1) Acts of the Holy See; 2) jurisprudence of the Sacred Congregations and ecclesiastical Tribunals; 3) practice of the Roman Curia; 4) studies of juridical problems; 5) ecclesiastical law of the various nations; 6) reviews of publications and summaries of journals.