archpriest

Formerly a senior priest attached to a cathedral as assistant to the bishop and overseer of the subordinate clergy. The chapters of St Peter's and other Roman basilicas are headed by archpriests. The modern representative of the office in the Church of England is a dean.

In the early 17th century the term had a special application to the superiors appointed by the pope to govern secular priests sent into England. These had been left without a head at the death of Cardinal Allen 1594. The archpriest had 12 assistants, but was subordinate to the superior of the Jesuits in England. The office, which was much opposed, lapsed 1621.