The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word EPISCOPAL
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
E
P
I
S
C
O
P
A
L
More clues leading to the result EPISCOPAL
- Massive gem cut by second of bishops
- Anglican spraying 21 about
- Spoil cape maybe belonging to a bishop
- See relevant record is given to business partner
- Pepsi Cola provided by the church
- Lapse I put right involving “PC” Scottish Church
- Organised special op controlled by bishop
- Reproduce special about work of a bishop
- Stupidly copies friend of the bishop
- Alice pops out of the church
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "of senior cleric" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case of senior cleric = episcopal.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does EPISCOPAL mean?
EPISCOPAL adjective- Of or relating to the affairs of a bishop in various Christian churches.