I think that you have it backwards. The English word priest is derived from the Greek presbuteros. Its original meaning was exclusively for the New Testament office of presbyter, a meaning which has continued from the Old English proest. Old English used sacerd to translate the Greek hiereus. There was no Roman conspiracy to mistranslate. Indeed, in the Latin, the language of the Roman church, there are two distinct terms: presbyter and sacerdos. Modern Italian maintains these two terms as prete and sacerdote. That English uses only one term for these two distinct offices is a result of a defect in English, not a conspiracy of Rome. If there is a mistranslation it is an inappropriate use of priest for hiereus. Perhaps you could lead an effort to bring back the English term sacerd.
No matter how much you wish to change the ORIGINAL TEXT and meaning, the proper definition suggests “overseer”, no “priest”.
presbuteros
1) elder, of age
1a) the elder of two people
1b) advanced in life, an elder, a senior
1b1) forefathers
2) a term of rank or office
2a) among the Jews
2a1) members of the great council or Sanhedrin (because in early times the rulers of the people, judges, etc., were selected from elderly men)
2a2) of those who in separate cities managed public affairs and administered justice
2b) among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably
2c) the twenty four members of the heavenly Sanhedrin or court seated on thrones around the throne of God
“That English uses only one term for these two distinct offices is a result of a defect in English...”
Incorrect. English does in fact HAVE words for the proper translation, and no honest translator would pretend otherwise.
“A-1,Adjective,4245,presbuteros
an adjective, the comparative degree of presbus, “an old man, an elder,” is used
(a) of age, whether of the “elder” of two persons, Luke 15:25, or more, John 8:9, “the eldest;” or of a person advanced in life, a senior, Acts 2:17; in Heb. 11:2, the “elders” are the forefathers in Israel; so in Matt. 15:2; Mark 7:3,5; the feminine of the adjective is used of “elder” women in the churches, 1 Tim. 5:2, not in respect of position but in seniority of age;
(b) of rank or positions of responsibility,
(1) among Gentiles, as in the Sept. of Gen. 50:7; Num. 22:7;
(2) in the Jewish nation, firstly, those who were the heads or leaders of the tribes and families, as of the seventy who assisted Moses, Num. 11:16; Deut. 27:1, and those assembled by Solomon; secondly, members of the Sanhedrin, consisting of the chief priests, “elders” and scribes, learned in Jewish law, e.g., Matt. 16:21; 26:47; thirdly, those who managed public affairs in the various cities, Luke 7:3;
(3) in the Christian churches, those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches.
To these the term “bishops,” episkopoi, or “overseers,” is applied (see Acts 20, ver. 17 with ver. 28, and Titus 1:5,7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work, presbuteroi their maturity of spirtual experience.
The Divine arrangement seen throughout the NT was for a plurality of these to be appointed in each church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17; Titus 1:5. The duty of “elders” is described by the verb episkopeo. They were appointed according as they had given evidence of fulfilling the Divine qualifications, Titus 1:6-9; cp. 1 Tim. 3:1-7; 1 Pet. 5:2;
(4) the twenty-four “elders” enthroned in heaven around the throne of God, Rev. 4:4,10; 5:5-14; 7:11,13; 11:16; 14:3; 19:4. The number twenty-four is representative of earthly conditions. The word “elder” is nowhere applied to angels. See OLD.”
http://www2.mf.no/bibelprog/vines?word=%AFt0000866