On March 10, Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego, who was reportedly arrested last week while trying to leave the country amid embezzlement accusations.
The same day, Pope Leo accepted the resignation of Cardinal Louis Sako, patriarch of Baghdad of the Chaldeans.
According to KGTV 10News San Diego, a local ABC affiliate, prosecutors say Bishop Shaleta was arrested March 5 at the San Diego International Airport, where investigators believe he was trying to leave the country. The outlet reports that investigators allege Bishop Shaleta stole donations for the church, which the bishop has vehemently denied.
On March 9, Bishop Shaleta appeared in court, where he pleaded not guilty to 16 felony charges that include “embezzlement and money laundering,” according to a separate report from the outlet. Many supporters of the bishop came to the El Cajon courthouse, where seats were filled to capacity while some had to wait in the hallway, according to NBC’s San Diego 7.
San Diego Deputy District Attorney Joel Madero alleged that Bishop Shaleta was attempting to board a flight to Germany March 9 and that he had nearly $10,000 in cash in his bag while trying to board.
The bishop’s defense attorney argued that “the trip has already been planned,” the outlet reported, and that Bishop Shaleta was planning to come back. Madero said the alleged crimes occurred in 2024 and that “over the course of a year,” approximately $270,000 in cash, went unaccounted for after being given to the bishop. According to a March 10 report from The Pillar, a Vatican-ordered investigation into the embezzlement allegations concluded in 2025.
If convicted, Bishop Shaleta could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, according to KGTV.
Possibly conflicting with the Germany travel plan stated by Madero, The Pillar reported that Bishop Shaleta “was expected to travel to Rome to offer explanations for the allegations against him.” The outlet also reported that Bishop Shaleta offered his resignation letter in January, after the investigation ended.
In a March 9 article, The Pillar reported that in February, “Cardinal Sako consulted with Chaldean bishops about his hope to see the bishop transferred to an administrative post in Baghdad, as a high-ranking official of the Chaldean patriarchate.”
Cardinal Sako previously confirmed to the outlet that he did bring up the notion of a transfer to Vatican officials “but suggested the idea was floated only before the Vatican-ordered investigation into Shaleta was ‘clear,’” according to the article.
According to Vatican News, Cardinal Sako said in a March 10 letter that he decided to submit his letter of resignation to “devote himself quietly to prayer, writing, and simple service.” According to the Pillar, the cardinal emphasized that “no one asked me to do so; I submitted my resignation of my own volition.”
Vatican News reports that the cardinal said when he turned 75 two years earlier, he spoke with Pope Francis about a possible resignation, but the Holy Father encouraged him to stay in active ministry. Cardinal Sako reflected on his 13 years as a spiritual leader in Baghdad and wrote that “In these difficult times, I hope that the leadership of the Chaldean Catholic Church will be entrusted to a patriarch who possesses solid theological knowledge, courage, and wisdom.”
According to the Holy See Press Office, Pope Leo has appointed Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop, titular of Hirta, to serve as apostolic administrator sede vacante of the San Diego eparchy.
A press release from the Michigan-based Chaldean Diocese of St. Thomas the Apostle emphasized the importance of prayer and discernment amid the situation.
“The Apostolic See, with the knowledge and cooperation of the Patriarchate, has conducted thorough investigations in order to ascertain the facts and reach a just and impartial decision, so that no one may be wronged,” it states. “The Patriarchate calls upon all the faithful to respond with prudence, charity, and prayer — especially during this sacred season of Great Lent.”