An arraignment is set for this afternoon for San Diego Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta. He is a leader at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral in El Cajon.
He was arrested at San Diego International airport on March 5th while attempting to leave the country.
He is accused of embezzling funds from his congregation. He denies the charges.
According to an article published last month in The Pillar, a news agency that covers issues related to the Catholic Church, Shaleta allegedly may have misappropriated rental payments for a property owned by the church — potentially as much as $1 million — and purportedly frequented a Tijuana brothel.
On its website, the church posted the following:
“After hearing all of the critics and attacks against our Eparchy and Bishop, we ask the Lord to protect our Eparchy and Bishop from all of the negative attacks. We are in solidarity with our Eparchy and Bishop. We are awaiting the decision on this matter. Please continue to keep this Eparchy in your prayers and remain faithful to the salvific mission of Christ.”