Bishop Emanuel Shaleta Resigns Amid Embezzlement Allegations
Emanuel Shaleta, bishop of a Chaldean Catholic parish near San Diego, has resigned following accusations that he embezzled $270,000 from his church, Pope Leo XIV announced on Tuesday.
Shaleta, 69, pleaded not guilty to 17 felony charges, including money laundering, during a hearing attended by numerous supporters. The charges relate to alleged financial misconduct at St Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, east of San Diego.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, Shaleta was arrested last week at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the country. The authorities did not disclose his intended destination. The arrest followed a statement and documentation provided by a member of Shaleta's church indicating potential embezzlement.
Details of the Allegations
Prosecutor Joel Madero explained that the charges stem from missing monthly rental payments exceeding $30,000 from a tenant of the church's social hall. He noted discrepancies in the church's financial records and stated that Shaleta "provided completely unreasonable tales of where that money was going." The judge set bail at $125,000. While Madero described Shaleta as a flight risk, the bishop's attorney contended that the flight planned for Thursday had been arranged well in advance.
Bishop's Response and Legal Defense
During a recent mass, Bishop Shaleta addressed the allegations, asserting his innocence.
"On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly,"
he stated, denying any misuse of church funds.
Shaleta's attorney, Sharon Appelbaum, indicated plans to demonstrate that the allegations are unfounded. Additionally, the priests of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St Peter the Apostle issued a statement expressing their support for Shaleta.
Vatican's Announcement and Administrative Actions
The Vatican's daily bulletin on Tuesday confirmed that Pope Leo XIV accepted Shaleta's resignation under the code of canon law applicable to Eastern Rite churches, which permits the pope to approve a bishop's request to step down.
Although Shaleta submitted his resignation in February and it was accepted at that time, the Vatican embassy in Washington explained that the announcement was delayed until this week to avoid interfering with the ongoing police investigation.
Pope Leo appointed Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop as the temporary administrator of the parish.
Background on Bishop Shaleta and the Chaldean Catholic Church
Shaleta was ordained as a priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Detroit in 1984. He was appointed to lead the San Diego branch of the Eastern Rite Catholic Church in the United States in 2017.
The Chaldean Catholic Church represents over one million Aramaic-speaking Christians, primarily from Iraq. While its doctrines align with Roman Catholic teachings, including belief in the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus, the church preserves its own distinct and ancient Eastern traditions and identity.
