Gibson's stalker who wanted to pray will stand trial

A drifter who repeatedly demanded to pray with The Passion of the Christ movie director Mel Gibson has been ordered to stand trial on charges of stalking.

Zack Sinclair, 34, was arrested in October after arriving unannounced at Gibson's Malibu home, saying he wanted to pray with him, and turning up at a chapel where Gibson, a devout Catholic, attends mass on Sundays.

In court papers, Gibson said the man had also sent him numerous letters insisting they should pray together. Gibson said he found the letters "alarming, harassing and annoying".

The Passion of the Christ, Gibson's graphic account of the last hours of Jesus, provoked much controversy in the United States but became a box office success and has grossed more than $US600 million ($832 million) in worldwide ticket sales.

Sinclair, a homeless man who is now in jail, was ordered to stand trial by a Los Angeles area judge.