Persist in the conversion of clergymen (7)

I believe the answer is:

priests

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

'clergymen' is the definition.
(priest is a kind of clergyman)

'persist in the conversion' is the wordplay.
'persist' can be anagrammed to 'PRIESTS'.
Though, I'm not sure how this is indicated.

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for priests that I've seen before include "Clerics" , "Ordained ministers" , "Spiritual leaders" , "Church leaders" , "Clergymen" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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