Pope Leo XIV accepted the resignation of Monsignor Emanuel Hana Shaleta from the pastoral care of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle in San Diego, California, after a major scandal. US media outlets detail that the resignation was accepted in February and was only made public on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Washington, D.C., by Cardinal Christophe Pierre. According to the reported information, the bishop's departure comes after he was accused of visiting a table dance club in Hong Kong in Tijuana, where he was allegedly a frequent customer and enjoyed the shows with the girls. This is a minor issue, as Hana was arrested on March 5 at San Diego International Airport while attempting to leave the United States. Now, Shaleta faces 16 charges for embezzlement and money laundering. He appeared in court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the hearing, the bishop's defense stated that the trip he was on at the time of his detention was destined for Germany and was part of a previously planned transfer.
