Parasite to flee Christian sect (5)

I believe the answer is:

leech

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'parasite' is the definition.
(I know that parasite can be written as leech)

'flee christian sect' is the wordplay.
'LEECH' is hidden in amongst the letters.
But, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leech that I've seen before include "Blood-sucking worm or parasitical person" , "one good at sponging" , "Annelid worm, used in medicine of old" , "Old doctor" , "scrounger" .)

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

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