Pope Leo XIV Accepts Resignation Of San Diego Chaldean Bishop Following Arrest For Alleged Church Embezzlement

Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta resigned following his arrest for embezzlement and money laundering. Pope Leo XIV has named a temporary administrator for the San Diego eparchy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 10:37 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Crux Now

Vatican Formalizes Departure Of San Diego Religious Leader

The Holy See announced Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, the 69-year-old leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church in San Diego. The announcement follows a high-profile intervention by law enforcement last week at San Diego International Airport. According to reports from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Shaleta was taken into custody on March 5 as he allegedly attempted to leave the country. The Vatican clarified that while the resignation was technically tendered in February, the official announcement was deferred until today to ensure the administrative move did not obstruct the active criminal investigation by California authorities.

Airport Arrest Linked To Allegations Of Financial Misconduct

The investigation into the bishop began after a member of Shaleta’s own congregation provided documentation to law enforcement suggesting systemic financial irregularities within the church’s accounts. Detectives state that the evidence points to a potential embezzlement scheme involving significant donations. Shaleta is currently being held on $125,000 bail and faces a total of eight criminal counts, including embezzlement, money laundering, and aggravated white-collar crime. Despite the gravity of the charges, supporters within the eparchy have voiced their defense of the bishop, claiming the allegations are unfounded.

Shaleta Denies Misuse Of Parish Funds During Recent Mass

Before his arrest, Bishop Shaleta addressed his congregation at St. Peter Chaldean Church regarding the rumors of a Vatican inquiry. During a recent Mass, he explicitly denied the misappropriation of church resources, telling parishioners that he had never utilized "any penny of the church money" for personal gain. Instead, he maintained that he had worked diligently to preserve and manage the community's donations. The San Diego station NBC 7 reported that the bishop appealed directly to the faith of his followers to defend his integrity as the financial investigation intensified.