Greek monastery could become jail

The Greek Orthodox Church says it wants to convert a 17th Century monastery into a prison for convicted clerics.

The Holy Synod has applied for permission to turn the Hrysopighi monastery in the southern Peloponnese peninsula into a correctional facility.

It hopes the recently convicted Bishop of Attica, Panteleimon, will be able to serve out his six-year sentence for embezzlement in the monastery.

The plan could later be extended to other errant priests, officials said.

Panteleimon, who is in his 70s, was convicted a month ago of embezzling around 200,000 euros ($317,000;