Bishop of San Diego Chaldean Catholic Church resigns amid embezzlement charges

Pope Leo XIV accepts resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, who is accused of stealing $270,000 from his parish

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The bishop of a small Chaldean Catholic community in the San Diego area has resigned amid charges that he embezzled $270,000 from his parish, Pope Leo XIV announced on Tuesday. Bishop Emanuel Shaleta pleaded not guilty to 16 felony charges, including money laundering, during a hearing attended by many of his supporters. Shaleta is accused of embezzling funds from the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, east of San Diego.

Why it matters

The resignation of Bishop Shaleta highlights the ongoing issue of financial misconduct within the Catholic Church, which has faced numerous scandals over the years involving the misuse of church funds. This case also raises questions about oversight and accountability within the Chaldean Catholic Church, a distinct Eastern Rite denomination that has a significant presence in the San Diego area.

The details

According to prosecutors, Shaleta is accused of embezzling money from monthly rental payments of more than $30,000 from a tenant of the church's social hall. Authorities said there were discrepancies in the church's accounts and that Shaleta "provided completely unreasonable tales of where that money was going." Shaleta pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on $125,000 bail, with his passport seized. His attorney said they plan to show the allegations are false.

  • On Monday, Bishop Shaleta pleaded not guilty to 16 felony charges, including money laundering.
  • On Thursday, Shaleta was arrested at San Diego International Airport as he was trying to leave the country.
  • In February, Pope Leo XIV accepted Shaleta's resignation, but the decision was not announced until this week.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

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

Bishop Emanuel Shaleta

The former bishop of the St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, California, who is accused of embezzling $270,000 from his parish.

St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral

The parish church in El Cajon, California, where Bishop Shaleta is accused of embezzling funds.

Joel Madero

The prosecutor handling the case against Bishop Shaleta.

Sharon Appelbaum

The attorney representing Bishop Shaleta, who says she plans to show the allegations are false.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

A preliminary hearing for Bishop Shaleta is scheduled for April 27, where a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges the Catholic Church faces in ensuring financial accountability and transparency within its ranks, particularly in smaller, distinct denominations like the Chaldean Catholic Church. It raises questions about oversight and the need for stronger safeguards to prevent future incidents of embezzlement and misuse of church funds.