Bishop Emanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego pleaded not guilty on March 9 to multiple felony charges related to embezzlement and money laundering, while the Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV had accepted his resignation in February.
The case has drawn attention due to its implications for the Chaldean Catholic community and the leadership transition within the eparchy. The allegations involve financial losses exceeding $200,000, with Bishop Shaleta facing up to 15 years in state prison if convicted on all counts.
According to the San Diego District Attorney’s office, Bishop Shaleta was released from jail after four nights on $125,000 bail under conditions that include GPS monitoring and a prohibition on accessing church bank accounts. His passport has been seized, and he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 27. The criminal complaint remains sealed and will be unsealed at a future hearing.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced that Pope Leo had appointed Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna as apostolic administrator of the St. Peter eparchy following Shaleta’s resignation. Bishop Sirop previously served as apostolic visitor for Chaldeans in Europe and has written about his abduction by terrorists in Iraq.
The priests of the St. Peter Eparchy released a statement calling for prayer: “After hearing all of the critics and attacks against our Eparchy and Bishop, we ask the Lord to protect our Eparchy and Bishop from all of the negative attacks,” they said. “We are in solidarity with our Eparchy and Bishop. We are awaiting the decision on this matter. Please continue to keep this Eparchy in your prayers and remain faithful to the salvific mission of Christ.”
Supporters filled the courtroom during Shaleta’s arraignment, according to NBC News reports, with many maintaining his innocence. The investigation began after an unnamed representative from St. Peter Chaldean Church provided documents suggesting potential embezzlement last August.
The Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate acknowledged complaints against Shaleta regarding mishandling diocesan funds and alleged inappropriate relationships but emphasized that such matters require careful review through proper channels: “Allegations or complaints require careful and objective review and should not be resolved outside of the appropriate process,” said the patriarchate.
Reports by The Pillar detailed further accusations involving cash transactions at his cathedral, reimbursement attempts using charity account checks signed by him, visits to a club operating as a brothel near Tijuana, Mexico, and maintaining a joint bank account with a former parish secretary.
Separately on March 10, Pope Leo also accepted Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako’s resignation as Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad. Cardinal Sako stated he now plans to dedicate himself to prayer and writing after leading under challenging circumstances.
