Crossword Genius

Sin initially expiated by bishop (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

err

'sin' is the definition.
(to sin is to err morally)

'initially expiated by bishop' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'bishop' becomes 'rr' (abbreviation for Right Reverend).
The first letter of 'expiated' is 'e'.
'e'+'rr'='ERR'

(Other definitions for err that I've seen before include "Blunder" , "Drop a clanger" , "do something you shouldn't" , "'to... is human,to forgive divine'" , "Be inaccurate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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