Well, he's certainly not a Muslim
Mexican brothel-loving bishop ousted by Pope Leo.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta charged with visiting brothels and stealing thousands of dollars from his church
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta was suspected of trying to flee San DiegoCredit: Chaldean Diocese of St Thomas the Apostle
Andrew Buncombe
in Seattle
A California bishop accused of frequenting Mexican brothels and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church has been ousted by Pope Leo.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including money laundering and embezzlement, when he appeared before a court earlier this week.
The 69-year-old had been arrested last week at San Diego international airport where he was seemingly trying to flee the country.
Prosecutor Joel Madero claimed that Mr Shaleta was “on his way to Germany”.
He added: “Given his access to funds, the fact that he had over $9,000 (£6,700) in the bag when he was stopped, and the fact that he has these international ties, we’re close to Mexico, I do believe that some bail to ensure he shows up is appropriate.”
Mr Shaleta spent four nights in jail before he was charged. He was released on bail after paying $125,000 (£93,163).
The prosecutor said the charges were connected to the monthly rent of the church and that there were discrepancies in the accounts.
The bishop had led worshippers at the St Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, near San Diego, from 2017 until his resignation was accepted this week by the 70-year-old pontiff.
Pope Leo’s office said it had also received the resignation of the church’s Cardinal Louis Sako. The cardinal has not been accused of any offences.
Pressure on Pope
The Vatican launched an investigation into the bishop in 2025 over allegations of wrongdoing.
News site The Pillar, which covers the Catholic Church, said pressure on Pope Leo had been mounting to oust the bishop.
The levelling of charges was seen as the last straw, JD Flynn, editor-in-chief, told a local television channel.
“My observation of Pope Leo is that he is, and will be, a by-the-book administrator,” Mr Flynn told The Telegraph.
“I see this as a sign Leo intends to govern with a strong hand when he needs to, and especially when this level of dysfunction is manifested or alleged.”
Sharon Appelbaum, Mr Shaleta’s lawyer, has been contacted by The Telegraph.
She told the court her client intended to fight the charges and that he had never “abused any penny of the church money”.
“On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly,” Mr Shaleta said via his lawyer.
In June 2025, a month after he was elected, the Pope said: “It is urgent to root in the whole church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse – neither of power or authority, nor abuse of conscience, spiritual or sexual abuse.”
The Vatican said: “The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego of the Chaldeans, United States of America, presented by Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/03/11/mexico-pope-leo-brothel-bishop/
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta charged with visiting brothels and stealing thousands of dollars from his church
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta was suspected of trying to flee San DiegoCredit: Chaldean Diocese of St Thomas the Apostle
Andrew Buncombe
in Seattle
A California bishop accused of frequenting Mexican brothels and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church has been ousted by Pope Leo.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including money laundering and embezzlement, when he appeared before a court earlier this week.
The 69-year-old had been arrested last week at San Diego international airport where he was seemingly trying to flee the country.
Prosecutor Joel Madero claimed that Mr Shaleta was “on his way to Germany”.
He added: “Given his access to funds, the fact that he had over $9,000 (£6,700) in the bag when he was stopped, and the fact that he has these international ties, we’re close to Mexico, I do believe that some bail to ensure he shows up is appropriate.”
Mr Shaleta spent four nights in jail before he was charged. He was released on bail after paying $125,000 (£93,163).
The prosecutor said the charges were connected to the monthly rent of the church and that there were discrepancies in the accounts.
The bishop had led worshippers at the St Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon, near San Diego, from 2017 until his resignation was accepted this week by the 70-year-old pontiff.
Pope Leo’s office said it had also received the resignation of the church’s Cardinal Louis Sako. The cardinal has not been accused of any offences.
Pressure on Pope
The Vatican launched an investigation into the bishop in 2025 over allegations of wrongdoing.
News site The Pillar, which covers the Catholic Church, said pressure on Pope Leo had been mounting to oust the bishop.
The levelling of charges was seen as the last straw, JD Flynn, editor-in-chief, told a local television channel.
“My observation of Pope Leo is that he is, and will be, a by-the-book administrator,” Mr Flynn told The Telegraph.
“I see this as a sign Leo intends to govern with a strong hand when he needs to, and especially when this level of dysfunction is manifested or alleged.”
Sharon Appelbaum, Mr Shaleta’s lawyer, has been contacted by The Telegraph.
She told the court her client intended to fight the charges and that he had never “abused any penny of the church money”.
“On the contrary, I have done my best to preserve and manage the donations of the church properly,” Mr Shaleta said via his lawyer.
In June 2025, a month after he was elected, the Pope said: “It is urgent to root in the whole church a culture of prevention that does not tolerate any form of abuse – neither of power or authority, nor abuse of conscience, spiritual or sexual abuse.”
The Vatican said: “The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego of the Chaldeans, United States of America, presented by Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/03/11/mexico-pope-leo-brothel-bishop/
