Previous cleric (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
This clue could be a double definition.
'previous' is the first definition.
(prior means previous or earlier)
'cleric' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "Previous; deputy abbot" , "Already arranged" , "Deputy head of an abbey" , "boss of Monk?" , "Earlier, coming before another in time" .)