Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, the Chaldean Catholic bishop of San Diego, following his arrest on embezzlement charges. The Vatican announced the decision on Tuesday, noting that Shaleta had presented his resignation in February, but the announcement was delayed to avoid interfering with the police investigation.
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office arrested Shaleta on March 5 at San Diego International Airport as he attempted to leave the country. He faces eight counts of embezzlement, money laundering, and aggravated white collar crime, with bail set at $125,000. The arrest followed a statement and documentation from a church member alleging embezzlement.
The Vatican stated that Leo accepted the resignation under the code of canon law for Eastern rite churches, which allows the pope to agree if a bishop requests to step down. Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop has been appointed as temporary administrator of the diocese.
Shaleta, 69, was ordained a priest in Detroit in 1984 and was appointed to the San Diego branch of the Chaldean Catholic Church in 2017. No comment has been received from his parish, St. Peter Chaldean Church.
Separately, Pope Leo expressed deep concern over escalating violence in Iran and the Middle East, urging an end to hostilities and renewed dialogue. Speaking at the Angelus prayer, he warned that the conflict could spread and destabilise the region further.
