Vatican Accepts Resignation of U.S. Bishop Over Alleged $250,000 Church Fund Theft
From Our Reporter
The Vatican has accepted the resignation of an American Catholic bishop, Emanuel Hana Shaleta, following allegations that he diverted over $250,000 from church funds for personal use.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Shaleta from the Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego of the Chaldeans, United States of America.
According to the statement, the bishop had earlier submitted his resignation to the Holy Father in January amid growing allegations of financial misconduct.
Bishop Shaleta was arrested last Friday at San Diego International Airport while preparing to travel to Germany. Authorities reportedly found him in possession of more than $9,000 in cash at the time of his arrest.
His arrest followed a tip-off received in August last year by the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office from a church official who raised concerns about alleged financial irregularities involving the bishop.
Investigators later charged the cleric with 15 felony counts, including embezzlement, money laundering, and other white-collar crime-related offences.
Reports indicate that the accused allegedly diverted church property funds for personal expenses and later used charity accounts to conceal the transactions.
Authorities claim that financial records revealed at least $427,000 missing from the church’s accounts, with estimates suggesting the amount could be close to $1 million.
Further allegations by investigators also linked the embattled bishop to frequent visits to a nightclub in Tijuana’s Zona Norte red-light district in Mexico, where he was reportedly seen patronizing sex workers.
However, Bishop Shaleta has denied all allegations, insisting he never misused church funds.
“I have never, in my episcopal life, used any penny of the church money,” he said, adding that he had always worked to protect and manage donations entrusted to the church.
The former bishop was released from custody after meeting $125,000 bail conditions, while legal proceedings in the case continue.
