Catholic keeps backing Republican supporter, one joining in conflict (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
war bride
'catholic' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'backing republican supporter one joining in conflict' is the wordplay.
'backing' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'supporter' becomes 'bra' (a bra gives support to breasts).
'one joining' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters join the word).
'in conflict' becomes 'wide' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'r'+'bra'='rbra'
'rbra' back-to-front is 'arbr'.
'arbr' put within 'wide' is 'WAR-BRIDE'.
'keeps' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for war bride that I've seen is " one married after some hostility".)