Earlier church official (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
This could be a double definition.
'earlier' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'church official' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "Erstwhile" , "Deputy head of an abbey" , "English keeper" , "figure of authority in retreat" , "deputy head in monastery" .)