Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation of Arrested Chaldean Catholic Bishop in San Diego
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, a leader within the Chaldean Catholic Church in the United States, following his arrest in California on allegations of financial misconduct involving parish funds. The Vatican confirmed the decision on March 10 and announced that Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna has been appointed as apostolic administrator of the Catholic Eparchy of St Peter the Apostle of San Diego. The appointment ensures continued leadership and pastoral care for the Chaldean Catholic community in the region while legal proceedings related to the accusations against the former bishop continue in the United States.
Authorities in San Diego arrested Bishop Shaleta on March 5 at San Diego International Airport as he was reportedly preparing to leave the country. According to law enforcement officials, the bishop faces several felony charges including embezzlement and money laundering connected to church finances. Investigators also included an aggravated white collar crime enhancement among the charges listed in the case. Court records show that the bishop is currently being held on bail set at one hundred twenty five thousand dollars on one of the embezzlement charges as legal proceedings move forward through the California justice system.
The allegations against the bishop involve suspected misuse of church funds associated with the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St Peter the Apostle, which serves a community of Eastern Catholic faithful in the San Diego area. Law enforcement authorities say the investigation began after financial irregularities connected to church accounts were brought to their attention. Officials have not released full details of the evidence but confirmed that the charges filed against the bishop are classified as felonies under California law. The case has drawn attention within Catholic communities in the United States as well as among members of the global Chaldean Church.
Bishop Shaleta has denied the accusations against him. During remarks delivered at a Mass in late February, shortly before his arrest, he told members of the faithful that he had never misused church money and insisted that he had always acted responsibly in managing financial resources belonging to the Church. His statements were made publicly in response to growing concerns within the community regarding the investigation. Efforts to contact the bishop for further comment following his arrest were not immediately successful, according to individuals familiar with the case.
Following the resignation, the Vatican moved quickly to ensure continuity of leadership within the eparchy. Pope Leo XIV appointed Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna as apostolic administrator, granting him temporary responsibility for overseeing the pastoral and administrative needs of the diocese. Bishop Hanna is a Chaldean Catholic bishop originally from Iraq and has previously served in leadership roles within the Eastern Catholic Church. His appointment is intended to provide stability and guidance for the Chaldean faithful in the San Diego region during a period of uncertainty.
Bishop Shaleta had been serving as the Chaldean Catholic eparch of San Diego since 2017. Born in Iraq, he spent many years in ministry before being appointed to lead the Chaldean Catholic community in southern California. The Chaldean Catholic Church is one of the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome and traces its roots to ancient Christian communities in Mesopotamia. Today the church serves a large diaspora population across the world, particularly among communities with Iraqi heritage who have settled in North America, Europe, and Australia.
