Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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CAMERLENGO

An Italian chamberlain. There are three ecclesiastical persons in Rome who carry this title: 1. camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, who administers the revenue and property of the Holy See, verifies the death of the Pope, directs preparations and manages the conclave for election of a new pontiff; 2. camerlengo of the Sacred College, who is in charge of property and revenues of the college, pontificates at Mass for deceased cardinals, and registers all consistorial business; 3. camerlengo of the Roman clergy, elected by canons and parish priests of Rome, who presides over their conferences and is arbiter in questions of precedence. (Etym. Italian camerlengo, chamberlain.)