The position of Abbot General in the Premonstratensian order was occupied traditionally by the abbot of Premontre until that abbey's suppression at the time of the French Revolution. He is now elected for life by the Order's General Chapter and must retire at General Chapter closest to his 70th birthday. He is the immediate superior of all of the prelates (either abbots or superiors of independent priories) of the Order. He is the last court of appeal in conflicts within the various communities of the Order.