Possible Clues:

• Preceding in time
• The fool in 'A fool and his money are soon parted'
• Something previously extant
• Bet impression includes church forerunner
• A new detective with net spread about media boss's past
• Neat and decent reformed prior
• What refers to it may be relative
• Italian poet not the first to hand over religious books for prior
• Preceding in time or order
• Something preceding another