Pope Accepts Resignation of California Bishop Accused of Embezzlement

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta pleaded not guilty to charges of embezzling $270,000 from his cathedral

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, the leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church's San Diego branch, after Shaleta was arrested and charged with embezzlement and money laundering. Shaleta pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege he stole $270,000 from the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, California.

Why it matters

The resignation of a high-ranking Catholic bishop amid allegations of financial crimes is a significant development that raises questions about oversight and accountability within the church. The case also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by religious institutions in maintaining transparency and trust with their congregations.

The details

According to authorities, Bishop Shaleta is accused of embezzling $270,000 from the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, where he served as the leader of the local Chaldean Catholic community. Shaleta, who became a priest in 1984 and was named to the San Diego branch of the Eastern Rite Catholic Church in the U.S. in 2017, pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment.

  • On Monday, Bishop Shaleta pleaded not guilty to the embezzlement and money laundering charges during his arraignment.
  • Last month, Bishop Shaleta presented his resignation to Pope Leo XIV, who accepted it, though the announcement was not made until Tuesday.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope of the Catholic Church, who accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta.

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta

The former leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church's San Diego branch, who was arrested and charged with embezzlement and money laundering for allegedly stealing $270,000 from the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, California.

St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral

The cathedral in El Cajon, California, where Bishop Shaleta is accused of embezzling $270,000.

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What they’re saying

“I have never abused any penny of the church money. On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly.”

— Bishop Emanuel Shaleta

“We planned on showing that the accusations were false.”

— Sharon Appelbaum, Shaleta's lawyer

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Bishop Shaleta to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by religious institutions in maintaining transparency and trust with their congregations, as well as the need for robust financial oversight and accountability measures within the Catholic Church.