Jailed bishop ‘will go to EU court’ if deposed
The jailed ex-bishop of Attica, Panteleimon, has told Skai that he will appeal to the European Court of Justice, Greece’s Council of State and the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarchate if the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece prevents him from being reinstated. In an interview with Skai, Panteleimon described as an «ecclesiastical coup» an attempt by Bishop Meletios of Preveza to revoke a decision by a Church court to clear him of facing any further charges. Panteleimon has been serving a six-year jail sentence in Korydallos Prison for embezzling 195,000 euros from an Attica monastery following a June 2006 conviction. In March this year, the Holy Synod decided that the disgraced cleric would not have to answer to additional charges before a Church court. The move prompted speculation that Panteleimon would try to return to his post.