Athens, Greece - A senior Greek Orthodox bishop who is being investigated by church and state authorities has been ordered to stand trial on money laundering charges, court officials said Wednesday.
Metropolitan Bishop Panteleimon of Attica was charged with laundering money and embezzling about $376,500 from a monastery near Athens between 1996 and 1997. No trial date has been set.
If convicted on both charges, he faces more than 10 years in prison.
The indictments come nearly three months after the church began investigating allegations of sex and corruption scandals in its ranks.
On Feb. 4, the Holy Synod suspended Panteleimon for six months pending a church investigation into alleged embezzlement of parish funds and ethical misconduct.
Sex and corruption scandals have shaken the foundations of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Two senior church officials have lost their posts, while two lower-ranking priests remain in custody after being arrested on antiquity-theft charges. An archmandrite was also expelled for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with other men, and another priest was suspended following pedophilia allegations.
Church and state officials are also investigating 10 other clergymen, including 91-year-old Metropolitan Bishop Stephanos of Trifles over photos published in an Athens daily, allegedly showing him naked in bed with a young woman.