Priest welcomed by godly prior (8)

I believe the answer is:

'prior' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'priest welcomed by godly' is the wordplay.
'priest' becomes 'rev'.
'welcomed by' indicates putting letters inside (letters welcomed inside).
'godly' becomes 'pious' (similar in meaning).
'rev' placed into 'pious' is 'PREVIOUS'.

(Other definitions for previous that I've seen before include "Overly hasty in acting or in drawing a conclusion" , "earlier convictions" , "Overhasty; existing earlier" , "Former, preceding" , "form" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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