Cecil Rhodes initially trained to be a priest (6)
I believe the answer is:
cleric
'a priest' is the definition.
(both can mean a clergyman)
'cecil rhodes initially trained' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'trained' is an anagram indicator (to train can mean to grow something into a shape).
The initial letter of 'rhodes' is 'r'.
'cecil'+'r'='cecilr'
'cecilr' anagrammed gives 'CLERIC'.
'to be' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for cleric that I've seen before include "Type of cloth, perhaps" , "Churchman" , "One ordained" , "Religious official" , "One in holy orders" .)