Worship enlightened representatives priests excommunicated (8)
I believe the answer is:
venerate
'worship' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for venerate that I've seen before include "Regard (something) with great respect" , "Revere highly" , "Treat with respect" , "Think a great deal of" , "Regard with deep respect or worship" .)