Chaldean Bishop Resigns from Eparchy Based in El Cajon

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Published on 10 Mar at 9:11 am

Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta from the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, based in El Cajon. (Photo courtesy of

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WASHINGTON — Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta from the pastoral governance of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle, based in El Cajon. The resignation was accepted in February and publicized in Washington, D.C., on March 10, by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

At the same time the resignation was publicized, it was also announced that the Holy Father had appointed Most Reverend Saad Sirop Hanna, the titular bishop of Hirta, as the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the eparchy.

On March 9, Bishop Shaleta was arraigned on emblezzement and money laundering charges in El Cajon Superior Court. He is accused of stealing more than $250,000 from the Chaldean church.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is not involved in any way in this case. The Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle shares some of the same geographic area as the Diocese of San Diego. However, each has its own leadership and governance structure, although they share the Catholic faith and answer to the Pope.

On March 5, San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bishop Shaleta, 69, at the San Diego Airport as he was about to fly to Germany.

He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.