By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Emanuel Shaleta, the Chaldean Catholic bishop of the St. Peter the Apostle Eparchy in El Cajon, just outside San Diego, United States, after prosecutors accused him of embezzling at least $270,000 from parish funds.
The resignation was formally accepted on Wednesday, March 10, 2026, but announced by the Vatican this week. Shaleta, who had led the small Eastern Rite Catholic community in Southern California since 2017, was arrested on March 5, 2026, at San Diego International Airport as he attempted to leave the country amid the investigation.
Prosecutors in San Diego County have charged Shaleta with 16 felony counts, including embezzlement and money laundering, alleging that significant monthly rental income from parish property was missing and church financial records showed discrepancies. Shaleta has pleaded not guilty to all counts and maintains he managed funds responsibly.
Vatican officials said the pope accepted the resignation under canon law for Eastern Rite churches and appointed **** as temporary administrator of the eparchy. The case marks a rare instance of a Catholic bishop in the U.S. facing criminal charges, highlighting tensions between ecclesiastical authority and civil legal accountability.
Leave a Reply