When the Heathen Chief converted, I had a villager (Esteemed Elder) standing near by and he became aRetired Chief as well as the converted chief. What's up with that?

you got bugged, it shouldn't matter if you have 2 ex-chiefs.

Could be a leftover bug from VV3 or 4 when we did have chiefs?

Like VVCX said, it shouldn't matter as it's just a title in VV5. You'll have to see whether it makes them act like the ex-chief does with spreading the word much of the time. However, that action is no different than the various activities villagers do when not working, and is extremely open to interpretation.

VV2 or VV3 had chiefs.

That "spreading the word" is funny. He's "preaching to the choir", lol. They already know the Word.
Olypcupman, does your extra chief have all skills mastered like the retired chief has? That would be handy for teaching the kids.

No. He stayed the same as before except for the title.

Does the retired chief spreading the word have any effect on other villagers devotion skill?

Spreading Word should only increase their belief, only teaching at Nursery or converting Heathens increases Devotion.

Thanks

I needed to get the trophy, Young Devotee, so I "Forever Younged" my chief as my 1st Master Devotee,

I needed to get the "Young Devotee" so I turned my Chief into the Young Devotee, as my Master Devotee had died.
I had made a as doing my challenge. I MISTAKENLY clicked the Youth GP INSTEAD of the Time Warp, and made my Esteemed Elder "Forever Young." Now I have a 5 yr. old Esteeded Elder


Happy Gaming in VV5