Pope Leo sacks San Diego Bishop accused of stealing $250,000
INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — Pope Leo has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta of San Diego, following his arrest on suspicion of embezzling $250,000 from his congregation, the Vatican announced Tuesday.
Shaleta, who has led the Chaldean Catholic community in San Diego since 2017, pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of embezzlement and money laundering during a court hearing on Monday, according to local media.
San Diego Deputy District Attorney Joel Madero said the alleged crimes occurred in 2024 and were uncovered by a church employee who noticed missing funds, KGTV reported. Shaleta was arrested on March 5 at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the United States, according to the sheriff’s office.
His lawyer told the court that the bishop had been planning a trip to Germany.
The Chaldean Catholic Church, which follows an Eastern Christian liturgical rite but recognizes the pope’s authority, has about 71,000 members in San Diego, Vatican statistics show.
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