Pope Leo Accepts Resignation of San Diego Bishop Arrested Over $250,000 Embezzlement Case

Vatican city, March 10 – Pope Leo accepted the resignation of Emanuel Hana Shaleta, a Catholic bishop in San Diego, after U.S. authorities arrested him on suspicion of stealing about $250,000 from his congregation, the Vatican said on Tuesday.

Hana Shaleta had led a small Chaldean Catholic Church community in San Diego since 2017. Local media reported that he pleaded not guilty on Monday to 16 counts of embezzlement and money laundering during a court hearing following his arrest.

According to San Diego Deputy District Attorney Joel Madero, the alleged offenses took place in 2024 and were reported by a church employee who noticed missing funds. The case was later investigated by local authorities, according to reporting by KGTV, an ABC affiliate in San Diego.

Authorities arrested Hana Shaleta on March 5 at San Diego International Airport while he was attempting to leave the United States, according to a statement from the county sheriff’s office.

The bishop’s lawyer told the court during Monday’s hearing that Hana Shaleta had been planning to travel to Germany and that the trip had been scheduled in advance.

Chaldean Catholics recognise the authority of the pope but follow an Eastern Christian liturgical tradition distinct from the Latin rite practiced in most Catholic churches. Vatican statistics indicate there are about 71,000 Chaldean Catholics living in the San Diego area.