### Clue: Criminals taken in hand by bishops (6)
### Answer: CROOKS 
 ### Explanation: Definition: Criminals
  Cryptic defn:  The word refers to the symbol of pastoral office carried,taken in hand by bishops, a staff with a crook on top (sometimes a cross).  Same name and similar appearance to the staff carried by shepherds.  So I'm almost sure it arises from the comparable symbolism between the respective "flocks".
(Could also be seen as double defn. depending how one sees the rest of the clue.)  A nice surface of bishops saving criminals (at least their souls – if they have any).