#US #California – Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta (also spelled Emmanuel or Emanuel Shaleta; born November 11, 1956) is a Chaldean Catholic prelate who has served as the Eparch (bishop) of the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego from 2017 until early 2026.
Bishop Shaleta, born in Iraq, was ordained a priest in 1984 by Pope St. John Paul II and earned a doctorate in biblical theology. He moved to the U.S. in 1987 and served in various roles before being appointed eparch of the Chaldean Catholics in Toronto in 2015, then transferred to the San Diego eparchy in 2017. The eparchy covers 19 western U.S. states, serves over 70,000 Chaldean Catholics (mostly Iraqi diaspora), and is based at St. Peter’s Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon, California.
Starting in late 2024, parish finance council members at St. Peter’s Cathedral noticed irregularities. Rent payments for a church social hall (normally $33,990 monthly, paid by check from an external management company) were instead routed through another parish account designated for aid to the poor. Checks were signed by Shaleta. This pattern allegedly occurred for at least eight months, involving over $427,000 in misappropriated funds. Additional issues included cash payments for services or perpetual Mass enrollments being reimbursed from the charity account. Shaleta reportedly claimed the cash was distributed directly for charity (in the U.S. and abroad) but provided no supporting documentation. Sources suggested questionable transactions could total up to $1 million.
A retired FBI agent’s investigation documented Shaleta making frequent late-night trips across the border to Tijuana, Mexico, specifically visiting the Hong Kong Gentlemen’s Club (described as a brothel involving prostitution and trafficking). He was observed parking in a patrons-only lot, crossing on foot, and using a shuttle exclusive to club visitors—more than a dozen times in one month, later reduced. The article also referenced a joint bank account with a former parish secretary (from his Michigan days), shared home access, and close involvement with her children. Additionally, it noted past claims of palm-reading and fortune-telling, which contradict Church teaching on divination.
Parish leaders reported concerns to the U.S. apostolic nuncio and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department in 2025. The Vatican ordered an investigation in 2025, delegated to Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, involving interviews and financial reviews. A private investigator’s report was sent to the Dicastery for Eastern Churches. Shaleta reportedly solicited supportive letters from priests and acted against perceived whistleblowers. In January 2026, he submitted his resignation at the Vatican’s request, but as of this article’s publication, it had not been accepted, causing confusion in the community.
Image: St. Peter’s Chaldean Cathedral in El Cajon, California.
