Previous leader in monastery (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
This could be a double definition.
'previous' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'leader in monastery' is the second definition.
'prior' can be an answer for 'leader' (I have seen 'Religious leader' mean 'prior' so perhaps 'leader' could also mean 'prior'). I am unsure of the 'in monastery' bit.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "head of a religious community" , "Former - churchman" , "Former - chief of religious house" , "Existing beforehand" , "Pre-existing, religious head" .)