Corrupt archdeacon sacrificing Tory in absurd pretence (7)
I believe the answer is:
charade
'absurd pretence' is the definition.
(a ridiculous pretence or show)
'corrupt archdeacon sacrificing tory' is the wordplay.
'corrupt' is an anagram indicator.
'sacrificing' is a deletion indicator.
'tory' becomes 'con' (abbreviation for Conservative).
'archdeacon' with 'con' removed is 'archdea'.
'archdea' is an anagram of 'CHARADE'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for charade that I've seen before include "An absurd pretence, or a guessing game" , "Pretence - travesty" , "Travesty, mockery" , "Farcical pretence" , "absurd act" .)