Ecumenical council takes part in heresy, no doubt (5)
I believe the answer is:
synod
'ecumenical council' is the definition.
'part in heresy no doubt' is the wordplay.
'part in' indicates a hidden word.
'SYNOD' is hidden in the letters of 'heresy no doubt'.
'takes' is the link.
(Other definitions for synod that I've seen before include "Ecclesiastical assembly" , "Church assembly" , "Council of bishops" , "Ecumenical council" , "Church council" .)