Politician -- one embraced by church (8)
I believe the answer is:
minister
'politician' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'one embraced by church' is the wordplay.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'embraced by' indicates putting letters inside.
'church' becomes 'minster' (minster is a kind of church).
'i' put into 'minster' is 'MINISTER'.
(Other definitions for minister that I've seen before include "Holder of office in government or church" , "Government or church officer" , "Clergyman - government member" , "Head of a government department" , "Member of government or clergy" .)