Earlier religious leader (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
I believe this is a double definition.
'earlier' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'religious leader' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "Pre-existing; head friar" , "Already arranged" , "Coming before in time or importance" , "Clergyman - earlier" , "English keeper" .)