Chaldean bishop of San Diego resigns after arrest for embezzlement

After his arrest, he was jailed on eight counts of embezzlement, eight counts of money laundering, and one count of aggravated white-collar crime, according to the San Diego sheriff. During the prelate's appearance before a judge on March 9, the prosecutor stated that the bishop had stolen at least $270,000 from the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego.

Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta is also accused of attempting to conceal these embezzlements. The Chaldean bishop pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to The Pillar, in addition to this financial scandal, the Vatican also discovered breaches of his vow of chastity. The bishop, who is originally from Iraq, was reportedly a regular customer at a strip club on the Mexican border and had an ambiguous relationship with a woman.

According to a Vatican source consulted by I.MEDIA, the bishop submitted his resignation to the Pope before his arrest. The Pillar suggests that this may have been the case as early as January, after a canonical investigation was opened.

The Pillar also claims that Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church, insisted that Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta be transferred to an administrative post in Baghdad following his resignation. A Roman source consulted by I.MEDIA confirmed this. Whether by coincidence or not, Leo XIV also accepted the resignation of the Chaldean patriarch on March 10.

The Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, which has its seat in San Diego, covers 18 states in the western half of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. It comprises 12 parishes with approximately 70,000 faithful. Its cathedral is located in El Cajon, California.

Following this announcement, the Holy See appointed Bishop Saad Hana Sirop as apostolic administrator of this eparchy.