Almoner

Almoner (from the Greek eelmosyna 'alms' via Latin Almosunartius and French, known i Englsh since circa 1300) is a chaplain or church officer who originally was in charge of distributing charity.

Related Topics:
Chaplain - Charity

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Historically almoners were Christian religious functionaries whose duty was to distribute alms to the poor. Monasteries were required to spend one tenth of their income to give charity to the poor and bishops kept their own almoners.

Related Topics:
Christian - Alms - Bishop

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Almoners were attached to the courts to the kings of France and Charles VIII had a Grand Almoner in his employ.

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One of the most prominent such offices still extant is that of the (Angican) Lord High Almoner in the United Kingdom. The High Almoner (currently Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, Bishop of Manchester) is responsible for organising the Queen's annual distribution of Maundy money on Maundy Thursday.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - Maundy money - Maundy Thursday

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The "Almoner of His Holiness," the pope's official almoner, continues in office even after the pope dies. He "continues to carry out works of charity in accordance with the criteria employed during the Pope's lifetime" (Universi Dominici Gregis, 22).

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The name almoner was also used for a hospital official who interviewed prospective patients, and was later applied to the officials who were responsible for patient welfare and after care. This position is now usually filled by social workers.

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The term almoner is rarely used anymore in English, but its equivalents in other languages are often used for many pastoral functions styled chaplain in English.

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