Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta from his role as head of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego.
The resignation was accepted in February and was announced Tuesday by Cardinal Christophe Pierre. According to reports, Shaleta stepped down after being accused of visiting the Hong Kong nightclub in Tijuana, where he was allegedly a frequent customer.
At the same time the resignation was made public, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV had appointed Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna, titular bishop of Hirta, as apostolic administrator during the vacancy.
Shaleta was arrested March 5 at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the United States.
He faces 16 counts of embezzlement and money laundering. During a court appearance Monday, he pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to local media reports.
According to Calafia Noticias, Shaleta’s defense told the court that the trip he was taking at the time of his arrest was bound for Germany and had been planned in advance.
