Confront the clergy with a washer (4-5)

I believe the answer is:

face-cloth

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'a washer' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'confront the clergy' is the wordplay.
'confront' becomes 'face' (synonyms).
'the clergy' becomes 'cloth' (I've seen this in another clue).
'face'+'cloth'='FACE-CLOTH'

'with' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

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

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