Previous religious head (5)
I believe the answer is:
prior
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'previous' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'religious head' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for prior that I've seen before include "deputy head in monastery" , "English poet" , "Former - head of religious house" , "Former - chief of religious house" , "Preceding" .)