Crossword Genius

Chaplain following businessmen a colleague? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

compadre

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'a colleague?' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'chaplain following businessmen' is the wordplay.
'chaplain' becomes 'padre' (padre is a kind of chaplain).
'following' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'businessmen' becomes 'com' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'padre' put after 'com' is 'COMPADRE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for compadre that I've seen before include "Friend, companion" , "American friend" , "Friend (from Spanish)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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