Predestined as curate was (8)
I believe the answer is:
ordained
This clue is a double definition.
'predestined' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'as curate was' is the second definition.
(ordained can mean religiously invested)
(Other definitions for ordained that I've seen before include "Appointed to a clerical post" , "Elevated to the priesthood" , "Decreed, or appointed to priesthood" , "Declared to be law or declared to be a priest" , "Conferred holy orders on" .)