The Abbot of Worth, Kevin Taggart, is to retire at the beginning of next month.Abbot Kevin, who leads the Benedictine community of monks in West Sussex, was elected in June 2010 and turned 80 the following year.
"When I was elected Abbot in 2010, I realized that, because of my age, it was improbable that I would complete the eight-year office," the abbot said in a general communication.
He explained that following discussions with the Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation (EBC), Fr Richard Yeo, he has decided to step down on 2 June, exactly three years since his election.
"Both he and I are of the opinion that now would be an appropriate time for me to step down, and allow the community to consider a young person for the role of abbot," he added.
Abbots in EBC communities are elected for eight-year renewable terms.
The election of a new abbot will take place in early August and from 2 June Fr Luke Jolly, the prior, will act as superior of the abbey.
Worth was founded as a daughter house of Downside Abbey, in Somerset, in 1933.
The community has 25 monks and run a school, parish and retreat house.
In 2005 it gained wider prominence when it featured in a BBC Two programme The Big Silence.